Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Monday, October 17 | 10:30 a.m.
The Johnstown Conference Center
301 Napoleon Street
Johnstown, PA
Agenda
Public hearing on housing issues and the effect they have on the Johnstown community
Senator Joe Pittman
41st Senate District - Majority Leader
Serving Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson & Westmoreland Counties
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Monday, October 17 | 10:30 a.m.
The Johnstown Conference Center
301 Napoleon Street
Johnstown, PA
Public hearing on housing issues and the effect they have on the Johnstown community
Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee members heard from a veteran experiencing challenges who has benefitted from the support offered by the Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard. Seated at table: Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21); Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37); Nathan Silcox executive director for Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32); Sen. Stefano; Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41); Sarah Stauffer, executive director for Sen. Pittman; and Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1).
HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, and Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41), chair of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, hosted a joint hearing to learn about the progress made to combat veteran homelessness, as well as what improvements can still be made.
Testifiers explained that a strong collaboration between federal, state and community partners is critical to most effectively help veterans – particularly when they have circumstances that present unique challenges like being responsible for a larger family or a pet.
“Housing instability affecting the older veteran population, women veterans or veterans caring for children, and veterans who have a companion animal, need to be considered when developing plans for emergency shelter beds, transitional housing, and creating more affordable, accessible housing,” said Brig. Gen. Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Other testifiers highlighted struggles including not having DD-214 papers for veterans, which delays being able to connect veterans with services and programs that are designated for them, and the income cutoff for those services being too low.
One example of a community program to help veterans is Veterans Place on Washington Boulevard in Pittsburgh, which provides a safe haven where veterans can continue their recovery from chronic mental illness.
“Today, we heard about the great work being done at Veterans Place on Washington Boulevard, as well as other ways groups are trying to help veterans, including tiny homes and faith-based counseling. A lot is being done for the benefit of our veterans, and it’s important to get the word out so they know about the services available to assist them in moving forward in their life,” Stefano said.
“While we heard some stories about despair, we also heard incredible stories from veterans who were struggling but got the help that we’re here to highlight today. Hearing how dedicated they are to doing the work to help others who are experiencing the same issues was truly inspirational,” Pittman said.
CONTACT: Nathan Silcox, 717-787-7175 (Stefano’s office)
Sarah Stauffer, 717-787-8724 (Pittman’s office)
Urban Affairs and Housing Committee and Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 | 10:30 a.m.
Veterans Place
945 Washington Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
AGENDA
Public hearing on veterans homelessness
SCHEDULE
10:30 am: Call to Order and Opening Remarks
10:40 am: Panel #1: State & County Government Entities
11:40 am: Panel #2: Western PA Regional Entities
1:20 pm: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 | 10:45 a.m.
East Wing, Hearing Room 8E-A
Meeting to consider SB 1135, SB 1254, SB 1282, HB 2209 and HB 2210
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 10 a.m.
Living Water Church, Kittanning, Armstrong County
Public hearing on housing issues
10:00 am: Opening Remarks
• Senator Joe Pittman, Chair – Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
• Senator Nikil Saval, Minority Chair
10:15 am: Panel #1: Community Organizations Blight Prevention and Response
• Andrew Laddusaw – Senior Pastor of the Living Water Church – Testimony
• Julie Fitzpatrick – Executive Director of Pennsylvania Downtown Center – Testimony
• LEVEL: Equity Buildings
o Jason Tigano – Executive Director of LEVEL – Testimony
o Marc Little – President of Emery Construction Services
11:00 am: Panel #2: County Agencies Blight Prevention and Response
• LuAnn Zak – Assistant Director of the Indiana County Office of Planning and
Development – Testimony
• Brigid Beatty – Program Manager of the Armstrong County Department of Planning and
Development – Testimony
• Brian Lawrence – Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of
Westmoreland (RACW) and Westmoreland County Land Bank – Testimony
11:45 am: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Thursday, April 7, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.
Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia
599 Market St
1 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA
Public hearing on housing issues
10:00 am: Opening Remarks
10:15 am: Panel #1: Blight Prevention and Deferred Maintenance
11:00 am: Panel #2: Blight Response and Land Banks
11:45 am: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.
Room 461, Main Capitol Building
Meeting to consider SB 297, SB 811 and HB 581
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 | 9:30 a.m.
Senate Chamber and Virtual Participation
Meeting to consider SB 574, SB 763, HB 264, and HB 827
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 | 10:30 a.m.
Senate Chamber and Virtual Participation
Meeting to consider SB 157 and SB 439
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 1:30 (Senate Chamber and Remote Participation)