The PA Housing Choices Coalition Celebrates Bipartisan Advancement of Housing Bills
Two bills that would increase housing options by allowing for Accessory Dwelling Units and updating Occupancy laws passed out of the PA House
Harrisburg, PA – The PA Housing Choices Coalition proudly celebrates the advancement of two commonsense housing reforms that will expand housing options and restore property rights across the Commonwealth.
On June 1st, the Pennsylvania House approved HB 2186, legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs), by a vote of 139-62, with strong bipartisan support. On June 8th, the House followed with passage of HB 2109, known as the "Golden Girls Law," by a vote of 123-78, again earning bipartisan backing from lawmakers across Pennsylvania.
“Together, these commonsense reforms will make it easier for families to create flexible living arrangements, care for aging parents, provide housing for adult children, generate supplemental income, and increase the supply of naturally affordable homes without taxpayer subsidies,” Stacie Reidenbaugh, President and CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.
The Coalition extends its sincere appreciation to the bipartisan lawmakers who championed these efforts. We especially recognize Representative John Inglis and Representative David Zimmerman for their leadership on HB 2186, and Representative Tarik Khan and Representative Abby Major for leading HB 2109. Their willingness to work across the aisle reflect a growing consensus that Pennsylvania needs more housing options and fewer unnecessary barriers to building them.
“This level of broad, cross-partisan and statewide support demonstrates that expanding housing options through commonsense reforms like ADUs is not only good policy, it is ‘exactly’ what Pennsylvanians are asking their elected officials to prioritize,” said State Representative John Inglis, District 38.
“Housing costs are putting a strain on people across Pennsylvania. Whether you’re a young person trying to get your first place, a working family trying to make ends meet, or an older adult hoping to stay in your community, finding affordable housing has become harder,” said State Representative Tarik Khan, District 194. “Today’s overwhelming bipartisan vote on the Golden Girls Bill out of the PA House shows that commonsense solutions can still bring people together. Our bill gives Pennsylvanians more flexibility to share housing, lower costs, and make better use of the homes we have.”
We also thank the many additional House members from both parties who co-sponsored these bills and helped build the broad coalition necessary for passage.
Finally, the PA Housing Choices Coalition is grateful for the support of our 38 endorsing organizations, whose advocacy and expertise have helped elevate housing affordability and housing choice as priorities for Pennsylvania. This growing coalition represents builders, planners, business leaders, free-market advocates, community organizations, and housing stakeholders committed to expanding housing options and making our communities more affordable.
While today's victories are worth celebrating, the work is not finished.
HB 2186 has now been referred to the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee, and we urge the Senate to take up this important legislation without delay. Along with HB 2109, these reforms offer practical, market-driven solutions that will expand opportunity, reduce barriers, and help ensure that Pennsylvania remains a place where people of all ages and incomes can find a home.
The PA Housing Choices Coalition looks forward to working with members of the Senate to continue this momentum and deliver meaningful housing reforms for all Pennsylvanians.
About Organizations
The PA Housing Choices Coalition is a statewide, nonpartisan alliance of organizations committed to one goal: expanding housing choices for all Pennsylvanians through smart, bipartisan policy. Co-chaired by 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, the coalition includes homebuilders, business leaders, economic experts, and more. Learn more: www.pahousingchoices.com.
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is the statewide bipartisan advocate for responsible and efficient land use and partner for great places to live and work. We work with citizens, organizations, and public officials to create land use, infrastructure, development, and governance policies and projects that strengthen our economy, protect our resources, save money, and build healthy, vibrant and resilient communities for all.
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania is a statewide coalition working to provide leadership and a common voice for policies, practices, and resources to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, especially those with low incomes, have access to safe, decent, and affordable homes. We promote common-sense solutions to balance Pennsylvania’s housing market and increase the supply of safe, decent homes for low-income people.
Contact: Nicole Brunet, nbrunet@10000friends.org, 267-225-1362