PRINTER'S NO. 1173
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
196
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY COSTA, HAYWOOD, STREET, HUGHES, BREWSTER, LEACH,
SCHWANK, TARTAGLIONE AND YUDICHAK, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of housing
on health in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Housing quality includes the physical condition of a
home, adequate and appropriate utility service, the
characteristics of the area in which a home is located and a
home's affordability; and
WHEREAS, Housing is considered affordable when it costs less
than 30% of a family's income; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 1.5 million Pennsylvania households spend
more than 30% of their income on housing; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 29% of children in this Commonwealth live in
cost-burdened households; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reports a
Statewide shortage of 253,981 rental homes that are both
affordable and available to people at or below 30% of median
family income, often leading to homelessness; and
WHEREAS, People experiencing homelessness are more likely to
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have health problems than those who are well-housed; and
WHEREAS, Inadequate nutrition and medical care are associated
with the lack of access to affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, Residents of highly impoverished, unsafe
neighborhoods have an increased likelihood of adverse physical
and mental health effects; and
WHEREAS, Substandard housing propagates infectious diseases
through contaminated water, poor waste disposal systems and
unsanitary conditions; and
WHEREAS, Substandard housing increases the risk of burns and
other injuries from exposed or unconventional heating sources,
unguarded windows and sills, broken glass, obsolete fixtures and
other hazards; and
WHEREAS, Children and senior citizens are particularly
vulnerable to the health effects of substandard housing; and
WHEREAS, More than 1,300 elderly Pennsylvanians have died
from accidental falls in unsafe houses; and
WHEREAS, Dampness, unfiltered air, poor ventilation, a lack
of heat and unclean or unsafe flooring contribute to respiratory
and pulmonary conditions, including asthma; and
WHEREAS, Homes that are poorly weatherized or lack adequate
utility service can contribute to ill health; and
WHEREAS, Statewide, 40% of the houses tested for radon have
high levels of the carcinogenic gas; and
WHEREAS, Older houses are a source of childhood lead exposure
and lead poisoning; and
WHEREAS, Because Pennsylvania has the second largest number
of pre-1950 houses in the nation, lead remains a health hazard
in our communities; and
WHEREAS, A growing number of agencies and organizations
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support research showing the direct effects of housing quality
on health; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development, the Pennsylvania Safe and Healthy Homes Program,
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Commission to Build a
Healthier America, the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, the
Center for Housing Policy, the Urban Institute, the Brookings
Institute and the Healthy Rowhouse Project are among these
entities; and
WHEREAS, Health care plans and providers in several states,
including Texas, Arizona and Pennsylvania, are working to
improve health care outcomes through housing; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has begun to explore solutions through
the Department of Community and Economic Development's
Neighborhood Assistance Program; and
WHEREAS, The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC),
Allegheny Health Network and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
are developing initiatives integrating housing and health; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and
Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund provides significant aid to
households below 50% of median income and has made substantial
contributions to improving the housing stock and health of
thousands of Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, Current State-specific data is required to better
provide for housing and health benefits in this Commonwealth;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and
Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the
impact of housing on health in this Commonwealth; and be it
further
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RESOLVED, That the study include background information and
data relating to housing conditions, including access to utility
service, and health effects described in this resolution, a
review of health-related housing initiatives across the nation
and any other information or data deemed necessary or
appropriate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include an analysis of the cost of
health expenditures related to unmet housing needs, including
Medicaid, Medicare and unreimbursed care provided by hospitals;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include an analysis of the health
care cost savings achievable through addressing unmet housing
needs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include an analysis of the efficacy
of particular interventions to address unmet housing needs,
improve health outcomes and reduce health care expenditures; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That, in conducting the study, the committee
consult other departments, agencies, organizations, entities or
persons as necessary or appropriate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee issue a report of its findings
and recommendations to the Senate within one year of the
adoption of this resolution.
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