MONROEVILLE, PA — Pennsylvania economic development officials on Friday renewed calls for major housing and infrastructure investments, warning that the Commonwealth could face a shortage of roughly 185,000 homes by 2035 without additional action to expand housing supply.
Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the issue during a visit to Monroeville, where local officials are overseeing seven housing projects expected to add nearly 1,100 housing units. The appearance comes as Governor Josh Shapiro seeks legislative approval for housing initiatives included in his proposed 2026-27 budget.
The administration argues that housing affordability has become an economic development challenge as home prices continue to outpace wage growth and more than one million Pennsylvania households spend over 30% of their income on housing costs. State officials also note that more than half of Pennsylvania’s housing stock is over 50 years old, increasing maintenance and rehabilitation costs…