Conklin proposal would open door to affordable housing when state sells former prison land
Would require state to reserve up to 2% of land for possible transfer to county
Rep. Scott Conklin November 13, 2025 | 3:04 PM
STATE COLLEGE, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Scott Conklin today unveiled a proposal that would address a major quality-of-life issue for Pennsylvanians by requiring the state to reserve a portion of any former correctional facility land it plans to sell and make that portion available to the county for affordable housing.
Speaking at a news conference at his State College district office, Conklin said his soon-to-be-introduced bill would give the county where a former SCI is located the option to receive a transfer of up to 2% of the land.
“Safe, affordable housing is a major factor in quality of life, but shortages here at home and statewide are driving up housing costs and increasing the burden on lower-income families,” Conklin said. “My bill would help ease the shortage by ensuring that any time the state decides to sell former prison land, a small portion of that land is set aside and offered to the county for affordable housing use.”
Under Conklin’s proposal, counties would not be required to accept the land, but if they did, they would be required to use it for affordable housing and to take certain steps within certain timeframes to ensure availability of that housing.
Conklin is currently in the process of gathering co-sponsors for the proposal, which will then be introduced in the state House.
This is the second measure Conklin has announced in the wake of the state’s decision to close SCI-Rockview. Earlier this year, Conklin and state Rep. Dallas Kephart introduced legislation (H.B. 1951) to ensure fairness and transparency in such sales by requiring published notice and state attorney general oversight.