Supporters call for permanent funding of Pennsylvania's Whole-Home Repairs program during rally in Reading

Apr. 18—Maria Hernandez and her husband worked hard to save enough to buy a home in Reading 20 years ago, she said through an interpreter.

Over the years, they made many sacrifices to support their family and maintain their home, she said. But when the youngest of their five children was born with special needs, Hernandez quit her job to care for their daughter.

Getting by on just one income has been hard.

"We cannot afford the repairs that our house needs," she said. "Our house needs a roof, windows, floors and walls repaired, but what my husband earns is just enough to meet our basic needs."

Hernandez joined elected officials, advocacy groups and area residents Monday on the steps of Reading's City Hall to call for permanent funding for Pennsylvania's Whole-Home Repairs program.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act was passed in July 2022 with an initial appropriation of $125 million to be used by homeowners and renters to modernize and repair their homes and reduce safety and health risks. Supporters are now calling on state lawmakers to allocate $300 million for the program this year and to fund it permanently.

"I am here fighting for funding for repairs," Hernandez said, "and requesting that Gov. (Josh) Shapiro include $300 million in this state budget for the Whole-Home Repair program."

After decades of disinvestment, there is an immense need for repairs to Pennsylvania's housing stock, said state Sen. Nikil Saval, a Philadelphia Democrat, who introduced the bill last year.

"My office has received more than 6,000 calls from residents who heard about the Whole-Home Repairs program and who, for the first time, feel a sense of hope that their government will be an ally in providing them with the support they need to stay in their homes and in their communities," Saval said.

His visit to Reading on Monday was part of a weeklong call to action with stops throughout the state.

"The need for this program is every bit as huge as we anticipated," he said, "and that's why we're calling on the state's General Assembly to secure permanent funding. Whole-Home Repairs deserves investment because Pennsylvanians deserve investment."

The state has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation, he said, noting a survey of Pennsylvania voters found that 1 in 4 residents live in a home in need of a critical repairs.

The program establishes a one-stop shop in each county for home repairs and weatherization, Saval said, while also building the state's workforce and adding family-sustaining jobs in construction fields.

To date, 95% of Pennsylvania's counties applied to administer the program to their residents.

Advocates say the situation in Berks County mirrors much of the state. More than 50% of the county's housing stock was built before 1960, and in many cases using what are now considered harmful materials, including lead-based paints, which have since been banned.

The toxic heavy metal can lead to developmental delays in children and behavioral disorders in adults.

Lead remediation is just one area targeted by the program.

"This program allows us to make a substantial investment in Pennsylvania's housing stock and to keep people safe," said state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, who represents part of Berks. "The right to housing is a fundamental right. All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe place to call home. With permanent funding, we can continue to put the safety and wellbeing of people and communities first."

The goal of the program is to give homeowners and landlords the means to repair single-family houses and apartment buildings that fall into disrepair and ensure that residents have access to safer and healthier homes.

Program guidelines specify an income limit of up to 80% of the area median income for eligibility. Individual counties have flexibility and may set lower income limits.

Funds to landlords, who own no more than 15 units across five or fewer properties, are available in the form of forgivable loans. The loans can be forgiven if the landlords keep the rents affordable for 15 years and meet certain other requirements, including maintaining the property to a prescribed standard.

"I have lived in the same apartment my entire life," said Ezra Feliciano, a member of Berks Stands Up and Sunrise Movement. "This apartment is my house. It is my home. But my home needs to be fixed, like many homes in Reading."

Feliciano, who lives with his disabled mother, said he was filled with hope when he heard about the program.

"I started dreaming," he said. "With that money we could have a new bathroom that is accessible for my mother. There are many families like mine. They deserve hope, too."

Other speakers at Monday's rally included state Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Manny Guzman; Jess Royer, a Spring Township supervisor; Celine Schrier, director of Berks Stands Up; Richie Bowden, director of Mission Trip Birdsboro and Beyond; and Troy Turner, an organizer for Sunrise PA.