The Pennsylvania State Capitol is seen, Monday, June 30, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Aimee Dilger)

Local control emerged as a flashpoint as a House committee approved a slew of housing bills this week.

Lawmakers debated how to meet demand for more affordable housing while maintaining traditional local control over zoning and planning.

The Housing and Community Development Committee approved two bills expanding the types of housing allowed in neighborhoods and a third bill opening a new revenue source for housing projects.

Other bills approved by the committee addressed rental costs and housing discrimination.

The committee action came as public officials grapple with problems related to housing affordability and availability in Pennsylvania.

Both homebuyers and renters started experiencing housing issues on both fronts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the issue is now reaching critical mass in Harrisburg.

Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled the state’s first housing action plan in February, which includes legislative and executive proposals.

The housing committee voted 19-7 for an amended House Bill 2109 sponsored by state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia.

HB2109 changes local occupancy rules so unrelated people can live in the same house.

The committee voted 19-7 for House Bill 2186 sponsored by state Rep. John Inglis, D-Allegheny. HB2186 removes barriers for accessory dwelling units often enabling a senior to live adjacent to grown children.

The committee voted 14-12 along party lines with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposed for House Bill 2367 sponsored by state Rep. Heather Boyd, D-Delaware. HB2367 expands the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to finance housing projects.

The Golden Girls versus Animal House

HB2109 caused the greatest stir in committee debate.

Khan describes it as a “Golden Girls” bill referring to a 1980s TV sitcom about four senior-age women who live together.

He said HB2019 is needed because some zoning ordinances are so restrictive that unrelated individuals can’t share a house.

These accommodations can help people struggling to pay the rent for single apartments, Khan added.

David Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, likens HB2109 to Animal House, a 1970s movie about raucous college fraternities.

In a Facebook post before the vote, Sanko said enacting HB2109 and HB2186 would amount to “statewide zoning mandates on townships.”

Sanko said the only limits on occupancy if HB2109 is enacted would be building and fire codes and environmental rules.

State Rep. Jeremy Shaffer, R-Allegheny, said he’s concerned that residents of a single family home could be faced with noise and parking issues.

Khan said HB2019 has been tightened with language saying a local government can limit the number of unrelated individuals in a house based on demonstrated health and safety standards.

Granny units

HB2186 is often referred to as allowing “granny” units.

Inglis said the bill gives individuals the right to build an accessory unit in an area zoned for single family homes while allowing municipalities to make reasonable restrictions on a unit.

Municipalities would be required to adopt an ordinance for accessory units under HB2186, said Sanko.

He pointed to bill provisions putting limits on a municipality’s ability to set the size, height, setback, parking and design of a dwelling unit.

Housing projects

RACP is a successful state grant program for larger local projects that should be expanded to include housing development projects, said Boyd.

Committee Minority Chair Rich Irvin, R-Huntingdon, opposed HB2367 saying it doesn’t fit with RACP’s original purpose.

The issue of new state funding for housing projects has been raised by Shapiro.

He proposed borrowing $1 billion through state bonds to establish a Critical Infrastructure Development Fund for housing, energy projects and local government buildings.