Shapiro Will Make Housing a Campaign Focus

Governor Josh Shapiro centers housing policy in his reelection campaign ahead of the November 3, 2026 election.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Apartments

Shapiro Will Make Housing a Campaign Focus

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Is housing affordability in your community getting better or worse for your household?

Governor Josh Shapiro is making housing policy a central component of his reelection campaign as Pennsylvania heads toward the November 3, 2026, gubernatorial election. The state currently faces a 100,000-unit housing shortage, with projections indicating a shortfall of 185,000 units by 2035.

Why it matters

Rising home prices and rents in Pennsylvania are outpacing wage growth, prompting legislative efforts to address housing shortages and enhance tenant protections. These initiatives seek to stabilize the market as more than half of the state's housing stock reaches 50 years of age.

Pennsylvania currently ranks 46th nationally for new home construction, building only two homes for every 1,000 people in 2025. The state requires 450,000 new units by 2035 to meet projected demand.

The players

Josh Shapiro

He is the current Governor of Pennsylvania and a central figure in state housing policy reform.

The details

The state's housing action plan, which was informed by input from 2,500 people across 18 listening sessions, focuses on increasing annual funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. Recent legislative progress includes House-passed bills to seal eviction records and allow domestic violence victims to terminate leases.

September 2024: Governor Shapiro signed an executive order creating a housing action plan.
February 2026: The administration published the formal housing action plan.
April 2026: The House passed legislation allowing domestic violence victims to terminate leases.
June 2026: The House passed legislation to seal eviction records.
November 3, 2026: Pennsylvania holds its gubernatorial election.

Culture Shift

The push for increased investment in the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund reflects a broader shift toward state-led intervention in housing markets. This movement seeks to counteract the trend of legacy housing stock aging while modernizing tenant rights.

Renters may see changes to tenant protections and lease termination rules as new legislation is implemented. For prospective homeowners, the success of these housing initiatives could influence the long-term availability of new residential units across the state.

The takeaway

The state's housing shortage highlights a growing need for accelerated construction and proactive policy changes to ensure future affordability. Residents should monitor upcoming legislative sessions to see how these housing goals evolve into concrete market changes.