Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB876

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/24/25
• Refer: 6/24/25

Caption

Providing for the Pennsylvania Home Preservation Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Summary

SB 876 would create the Pennsylvania Home Preservation Grant Program within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to provide grants to local governments for the restoration and rehabilitation of existing housing stock. The program is aimed at owner-occupied residential properties and is intended to help local governments fund programs that address habitability problems, improve energy or water efficiency, and make homes more accessible for individuals with disabilities or other accessibility needs. The bill sets out a competitive grant process for local governments, including joint applications by multiple municipalities, and allows recipients to subgrant funds to approved entities. Applicants must show recent experience administering housing rehabilitation programs and describe how they will use the money, the geographic area served, and any additional funding sources. The bill also requires DCED to post application materials and applicant/subgrantee contact information on its website, and it takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Impact

SB 876 would add a new state grant program and give DCED responsibility for administering, reviewing, and approving applications, as well as managing program funds and public reporting. It would authorize grants funded through legislative appropriations and other state or federal funds, cap administrative costs at 3% for the department and 10% for eligible applicants, and limit awards to no more than $50,000 per unit owner. The bill would also condition county eligibility on having encumbered 75% of available Whole-Home Repairs Program county allocation funds, linking the new program to existing housing repair efforts.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears to have a generally supportive, housing-focused policy orientation, with bipartisan and cross-ideological sponsorship suggesting broad interest in preserving existing homes and improving housing conditions. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no direct evidence of floor debate or formal opposition in the provided materials. The structure of the bill suggests a practical, targeted approach rather than a controversial policy shift.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely to be funding levels, eligibility restrictions, and administrative requirements. Counties must first have used 75% of their Whole-Home Repairs Program county allocations before qualifying, which could be viewed as a safeguard against duplication or as a barrier for some jurisdictions. The bill also limits grants to households at 80% to 120% of area median income and caps awards at $50,000 per unit owner, which may prompt debate over whether the program reaches the most in-need homeowners or provides sufficient assistance. Local governments and DCED may also differ on how much discretion the department should have in approving applications and setting program rules.