Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Smith-Wade-El celebrates release of Pa.’s first comprehensive housing plan

Smith-Wade-El celebrates release of Pa.’s first comprehensive housing plan

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    February 13, 2026 | 10:38 AM

LANCASTER, Feb. 13 – A longtime advocate for housing rights of Pennsylvanians, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, issued the following statement about the release of Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the commonwealth’s housing crisis.

"Housing is a human right and a matter of justice, and the Shapiro administration’s housing action plan will help working Pennsylvanians achieve the American dream — a home of their own — by building more housing and cutting red tape to make housing more affordable.

“The Housing Action Plan strongly supports renters’ rights, and I am grateful that it includes my legislative plan to seal eviction records for people who were not actually evicted. This step will ensure fair housing access for many and protect whole communities in Pennsylvania.

“I am also glad that the Housing Action Plan addresses the legacies of racism in homeownership in Pennsylvania that is the primary driver for the racial wealth divide. While White homeownership was 72% in 2023 nationally, the homeownership rate for people of color was 45%. As homeownership is the biggest key to wealth accumulation, the Housing Action Plan to close the equity gap for minority homeownership by 25% will in turn also reduce the racial wealth divide in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania’s families deserve access to safe and affordable housing, and this Housing Action Plan is a necessary step to making this happen.

“This is the leadership Pennsylvania needs,” Smith-Wade-El said.