House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

I will be reintroducting HB 2474 from last session (a companion bill to Senate Bill 670 of last session introduced by Senator Vincent Hughes) that would establish the Survivor-centered, Accessible, Fair and Empowering (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund to benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking and stalking in the Commonwealth
 
Safe and secure housing is a critical component in creating long-term stability for survivors of abuse and violence.  Housing not only provides a physical shelter, but also an emotional shelter for individuals and their loved ones when escaping a traumatic situation.   
 
The SAFE Housing Trust Fund will provide a vital new dedicated source of funding to support domestic violence programs, transitional housing programs and permanent housing solutions.
 
A one-time appropriation from the General Fund shall establish this fund, while a continuing revenue stream will be derived from a $10 fee on the filing of each deed or mortgage in the Commonwealth.  Additionally, the bill would direct PennDOT to implement a voluntary check off box to enable an individual renewing a driver’s license or vehicle registration to easily make a voluntary contribution to the fund. 
 
Advocates continuously identify housing as a primary need and a critical component in the long-term safety and stability of these survivors. However, as the need this type of secure housing increases and housing costs, continue to rise nationally, existing funding levels and sources are no longer adequate to meet current needs. 
 
Survivors and victims of abuse already face enormous economic, employment, transportation, and child-care challenges - finding housing should not be one of them.
 
I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this legislation promoting housing as a right, rather than requiring survivors to demonstrate housing readiness as a prerequisite for obtaining permanent housing.

 

Previous Cosponsors: SIEGEL, HILL-EVANS, RABB, SMITH-WADE-EL, GUENST, DONAHUE, GIRAL, KHAN, SHUSTERMAN, SANCHEZ, CIRESI, DALEY, SOLOMON, and GREEN