Welcome to the latest edition of Voices of Reason where we’ll recap exclusive news and data featured in our most recent podcast.
This special segment dives deep into the Democratic primary for Pittsburgh mayor and how city officials plan on addressing the housing crisis in the city.
The week features exclusive interviews with incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O'Connor, who share views and insights you want to know.
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Mayor Ed Gainey highlights his past success with housing initiatives, citing the “30 million affordable housing bond” secured under his administration and outlines his plan for inclusionary zoning, which would require any new development with “20 or more units to reserve 10% for affordable housing priced at 50% of the area median income.” [Watch]
Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor highlights that implementing a “blanket ordinance” of inclusionary zoning across all of Pittsburgh could do more harm than good, noting that the city currently needs “about 6,000 affordable units and 15,000 market-rate units,” and that inclusionary zoning alone is not “building enough volume of affordable housing,” especially since “every neighborhood market is different.” [Watch]
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Housing
- Pittsburgh city officials have estimated that currently, there is a deficit of 10,000 affordable units in the city. [PittsburghPost-Gazette]
- Lehigh Valley faces a 9,000-unit housing shortfall, with home prices already 4× the median income—projected to reach 7× by 2050 as population growth outpaces expectations by 2025. [LehighValleyBusiness]
- Allegheny County has just 36 affordable homes per 100 extremely low-income households, Wayne County faces roughly 2,000 unhoused people, and half of York’s renters struggle with housing costs. [Fetterman.Senate.Gov]
Voter Interests
- House Bill 643, which would raise the PHARE Fund cap from $100 million to $110 million by 2028 to support affordable housing statewide, just passed the Pennsylvania House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. [ABC27]
- Philadelphia’s Housing Authority plans to invest $6.3 billion over 8 years to preserve or build 20,000 affordable homes as part of the Parker administration’s $2 billion H.O.M.E. plan to tackle the city’s housing crisis. [WHYY]
- Philadelphia’s Turn the Key program aims to build 1,000 affordable homes citywide but has completed only 240 in two years—despite approving 800 sites and having 400 more under construction. [WHYY]
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Pittsburgh Mayoral Race & Housing Crisis
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The Voices of Reason podcast has covered the most important issues in Pennsylvania politics – from education funding to trust in elections. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, and House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris are just a few of many influential guests who have joined us for exclusive interviews and roundtable discussions.
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