Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Conklin bill would lay foundation for new affordable housing when state sells former prison land

Conklin bill would lay foundation for new 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    January 30, 2026 | 3:39 PM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – To address the growing shortage of affordable housing, state Rep. Scott Conklin today introduced legislation that would require the state to reserve a portion of any former state prison land it plans to sell and offer that land to the host county for affordable housing.

Conklin said his bill, H.B. 2180, would give the county in which a former state correctional institution is located the option to receive a transfer of up to 2% of the property.

“Nearly half of Pennsylvania renter households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and a significant number are severely cost-burdened, spending more than 50%,” Conklin said. “One of the primary drivers of this crisis is the lack of affordable housing. My bill would help ease that shortage by ensuring that whenever the state sells former prison land, a portion is set aside and offered to the county for affordable housing use.”

Under the proposal, counties would not be required to accept the land. However, if they do, they would be required to use it for affordable housing and to meet certain requirements and timelines to ensure that housing becomes available.

House Bill 2180 is the second measure Conklin has announced following the state’s decision to close SCI-Rockview. Earlier this year, he and state Rep. Dallas Kephart introduced legislation (H.B. 1951) to promote fairness and transparency in such sales by requiring public notice and oversight by the state attorney general.