Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) was reappointed today (January 13) by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman to serve as Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee for the 2021-22 Legislative Session.
“I appreciate the opportunity the continue as Chairman. We are looking at a number of issues that are expected to come our way this session,” Senator Pittman said. “One of the key areas will be consideration of the federal funding being distributed for landlord and tenant assistance. We expect to play an active role in determining the state’s role in distributing that money.”
The Urban Affairs & Housing 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 Committee 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.
“The Urban Affairs & Housing Committee plays a significant role when it comes to dealing with the issue of blight,” said Senator Pittman. “Locally, 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.”
Contact: Anne Achenbach aachenbach@pasen.gov