Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) was appointed today (January 27) by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) to serve as Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee for the remainder of the 2019-20 Legislative Session.
The Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation and resolutions related to a number of subjects pertaining to housing and community revitalization, including:
- The use, transference, inspection and protection of real property.
- Vacant and unimproved public lands.
- Public housing and urban development.
- Land banks, condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities.
The panel also oversees the operations of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
In recent years, the Committee has focused on helping municipalities address abandoned and blighted properties and returning the land to productive use; implementing community revitalization initiatives; protecting property buyers and tenants; and addressing veteran homelessness and housing needs.
“While the title of the (Urban Affairs & Housing) Committee may not sound like it is applicable to my district, the reality is it is a significant committee when it comes to dealing with the issue of blight,” said Senator Pittman. “In particular, Armstrong and Westmoreland counties have done a great job with a local land bank effort. It is allowing them to go into communities, reclaim blighted properties and turn them around and get them on the tax rolls. It has been a great program. It is a critical program and the Urban Affairs & Housing Committee has historically taken a leadership role in that effort.” Video Audio
Contact: Carlton Logue clogue@pasen.gov