Housing and Community Development Committee Advances New Measures for Housing Affordability
Bills allowing small home options and “Golden Girls”-style housemates head to floor vote
Harrisburg, PA– Today, Pennsylvania House Representatives voted to advance two housing bills to a floor vote, setting the stage for statewide reform on housing affordability.
HB 2186 (19-7), which would allow accessory dwelling units, and HB 2109 (19-7), which would modernize occupancy rules to allow unrelated housemates to share a home, are designed to add more home options, and more affordable types of housing, to the market amid a statewide housing shortage.
“At its core, HB 2186 is about empowering property owners, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers & government red tape, and allowing more flexibility in how land is used, while still preserving important safeguards,” said Representative Inglis (D-38), lead sponsor of HB 2186. “It represents a meaningful, incremental step toward addressing the housing shortage and improving affordability across the Commonwealth. By legalizing and standardizing ADUs, we can expand housing opportunities, support families at every stage of life, and take real action to ensure more Pennsylvanians can afford to live in the communities they call home.”
Representative Khan (D-194) championed the ‘Golden Girls’ law, HB 2109, with co-prime, Representative Major (R-60). “I lived with roommates to afford rent,” said Representative Khan. “A lot of people still do. It shouldn’t be illegal just because you’re not related. This is a simple, common-sense fix to give people more options, and I’m proud to work across the aisle to get it done.”
Both bills have strong, bipartisan voter support, according to a recent statewide poll by YouGov:
On accessory dwelling units: 66% of Pennsylvania voters support a state legislative proposal to make it easier to build small homes, sometimes called “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), “backyard cottages,” or “granny flats” on existing residential properties.
On “Golden Girls” co-living: 65% of Pennsylvania voters support removing arbitrary limits on the number of unrelated people who can live together in the same home and replace those with rules based on public health requirements.
“Housing affordability and availability is an urgent issue for Pennsylvanians in cities and rural communities alike,” said Stacie Reidenbaugh, President & CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. “People desperately want to build modest homes or have a fair chance to split the high cost of rent with housemates. These bills will introduce the opportunities that communities need to build and live in ways that work for them. When families have the freedom to add a backyard cottage for a grandparent, and when friends have the option to move in together without arbitrary barriers, more Pennsylvanians will have access to home choices that work for them.”
“Pennsylvania’s housing crisis is being driven by a shrinking supply of affordable homes—whether from expiring subsidies, aging housing stock, or growing consolidation by corporate landlords,” said Deanna Dyer, Director of Policy at Regional Housing Legal Services. “Allowing accessory dwelling units and modernizing occupancy rules are practical, people-centered solutions that stabilize communities and expand affordable options. These bipartisan bills move us closer to creating and protecting safe, affordable homes for all Pennsylvanians."
10,000 Friends of PA co-leads PA Housing Choices Coalition, a diverse group of advocates, business leaders, and home owners and renters fighting for more affordable options across the state.
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Contact: Nicole Brunet, nbrunet@10000friends.org, 267-225-1362