Leaders from 12 Pennsylvania Habitat for Humanity Affiliates | Photo by Habitat Philadelphia
On Tuesday, March 24, representatives from 12 Pennsylvania Habitat affiliates visited Harrisburg to advocate for policies that increase funding for home repairs, support the development of diverse housing types and reduce construction delays.
Across the Commonwealth, restrictive zoning and land use regulations have slowed the rate of affordable home production, driving up costs and impeding efforts to close racial and ethnic gaps in homeownership.
Our Habitat leaders organized 67 meetings with legislators to share the stories we hear in our day-to-day work and actionable steps they can take to move the needle on these issues.
Carrie Rathmann, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia; Lois Napper, Homeowner Services Manager; Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia; State Representative Jordan Harris; State Representative Morgan Cephas | Photo by Habitat Philadelphia
In the afternoon, Senator Nikil Saval (D–1st District) and staff members of Senator Dave Argall (R–29th District) joined us to discuss the Pennsylvania Home Preservation Program — a $50 million bipartisan initiative dedicated to providing critical health and safety repairs to homeowners.
“We believe this program takes a lot from the Whole-Home Repairs Program,” said Sen. Saval. “It’s of the moment, it meets a real need across our state and it’s a crisis that cuts across all geographical and political boundaries – spurred on by the high cost of living, very old housing stock and extreme weather. We can push against this tide through state funding that tackles this crisis from multiple angles.”
Senator Nikil Saval and staff from Senator Dave Argall’s Office with Leaders from Pennsylvania Habitat for Humanity Affiliates | Photo by Habitat Philadelphia
In a video message to her elected officials, Donna, a Habitat Philadelphia home repair recipient, shared the significance of a these programs in her own life. After electrical and plumbing issues raised serious safety concerns in her home, Donna went to stay with family until she could find a solution.
“If organizations such as PHDC, Habitat for Humanity, Clarifi and so many others were not available, those visits with family would have become permanent or the repairs would have become so overwhelmingly expensive,” shared Fields. “Today, I can say my family has a safe, secure and comfortable place to live, and I’m grateful for the support of the many home repair agencies that have made this possible.”
Habitat organizations have built, rehabilitated, and preserved thousands of homes across Pennsylvania, alongside homeowners facing similar roadblocks. With strategic legislative support, we hope to lower construction costs for new builds and provide more critical repairs to keep Pennsylvanians in the homes they love.
PA Habitat Affiliates Represented at Habitat on Harrisburg 2026:
Allegheny Valley HFH, HFH of Berks County, HFH of Bucks County, HFH of Greater Centre County, HFH of Chester County, HFH of Franklin County, HFH of Greater Harrisburg Area, Lancaster Lebanon HFH, Monroe County HFH, HFH of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, HFH Philadelphia, HFH of Greater Pittsburgh Area, Wyoming Valley HFH
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