A new legislative study urges state officials in Pennsylvania to take a comprehensive look at the impact of housing on public health and the way that housing services under the Medical Assistance (MA) program address health care. The study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is part of a growing emphasis on the issue of housing availability and affordability in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order last month directing the state Department of Community and Economic Development to work with groups to deliver a Housing Action Program within one year. Among the study’s recommendations are that the Governor’s Office and General Assembly convene a working group to address housing and health issues, including use of resources. It also recommended that the state Department of Human Services (DHS) develop more data on MA housing program health impacts and give counties more flexibility to increase the maximum fee allowed by law for affordable housing trust funds. Under a 1992 state law, counties have the option to raise revenue from recording fees on deeds and mortgages and establish trust funds for affordable housing.
