Newsroom
Main Street Matters: DCED Secretary Rick Siger Visits Philadelphia’s Fishtown Neighborhood to Highlight Governor Shapiro’s Proposed $25 Million Investment to Create Economic Opportunity for Main Streets and Small Businesses Across PA
Philadelphia, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger joined Senator Nikil Saval, Representative Mary Isaacson, Philadelphia Director of Commerce Alba Martinez, and other local leaders to continue the Shapiro...
Senator Nikil Saval Explores Entering the Political Sphere in Night Owls Event
On March 2, Nikil Saval, a former editor of n+1 and Pennsylvania State Senator of the 1st District, shared insights on his journey into and experience in politics at the “Becoming a Politician” Night Owls event. Night Owls is a philosophy discussion forum series...
Sen. John Fetterman’s bill would take Pa.’s Whole-Homes Repair program nationwide
A Pennsylvania program to help property owners repair homes will serve as the model for a similar plan on a national scale under a bill co-introduced by U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. Fetterman and Republican Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis have joined on the bipartisan...
John Fetterman introduces federal Whole-Home Repairs legislation
A bipartisan piece of legislation from Pennsylvania is getting its opportunity in Washington, D.C. Democratic U.S. Sen John Fetterman, alongside Republican colleague Sen. Cynthia Lummis, introduced a federal version of the Whole-Home Repairs program, which provides...
Pennsylvania’s Whole Home Repairs program goes national
US Sen. John Fetterman introduced a national version of Pennsylvania’s Whole Home Repairs program on Tuesday. The popular program combats neighborhood blight and allows homeowners to weatherize their homes and make needed repairs. Pennsylvania’s wildly popular Whole...
Preservationists and Developers Say Pennsylvania Needs to Boost its Historic Tax Credits
The financing of a commercial development project is often a patchwork of funding sources: equity partners, bank loans, tax credits, and more. When it comes to the rehabilitation of historic buildings, the federal government and most states offer a special tax credit....
Push for Fair Housing in Pennsylvania: Lawmakers Aim to Seal Eviction Records
WILKINSBURG, PA — A gathering of Pennsylvanian Democratic lawmakers, including state Senator Katie Muth and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, among others, convened a public hearing on Thursday. This assembly, hosted at the Wilkinsburg Borough Building, aimed to...
Joint Policy Hearing Focuses on Legislation to Seal Eviction Records
WILKINSBURG, February 15, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), Senator Judy...
Policy Committee Hearing: Eviction Sealing
Pa. home repair and energy efficiency program resuscitated in Shapiro’s budget proposal
A popular Pennsylvania home repair assistance program that garners bipartisan support but was a casualty of last year’s budget battles could get new funding in the coming months. Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro included $50 million in state funding for the “Whole-Home Repairs”...
$50 Million for Whole-Home Repairs in Shapiro’s Budget: A Win for PA Homes
Harrisburg, PA − February 6, 2024 − Following Governor Shapiro’s announcement of $50 million for Pennsylvania’s nationally acclaimed Whole-Home Repairs Program in his proposed 2024–2025 budget, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia), author of the program, issued the following statement: “Every person has a right to a home that is safe, a home that is healthy. But hundreds of thousands of people across Pennsylvania are denied this right simply because they lack access to the resources they need and deserve to fix their homes.
Policy Committee Highlights Whole-Home Repairs Program in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH − February 3, 2024 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee traveled to Pittsburgh yesterday to host two events to highlight the successes of Pennsylvania's groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program. Less than a year after the distribution of funds, the...
Policy Committee Hearing: Whole Home Repairs: Lessons from Year One
Whole-Home Repairs Program: Updates from Year 1
Senator Saval Shares Updates from Year 1 of the Whole-Home Repairs Program
More money requested for popular $120M home repair program
(The Center Square) — A year after Pennsylvania’s $120 million Whole Home Repairs program got off the ground, advocates praise the results but say dramatically more is needed. The program was funded with federal taxpayer funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of...
Home Improvement, Season 2: Democrats highlight demand for Whole Home Repairs
On Groundhog Day, standing outside the recently renovated home of Kelly and Mo Scatena in Pittsburgh, Democratic politicians joined together to call for not just six weeks but another whole season of home improvement. “I was afraid (my home) was going to crumble out...
Democrats urge state lawmakers to put new funding into Whole Home Repairs program
PITTSBURGH — Kelly Scatena had a serious dilemma: The house she’s owned in Mt. Oliver for 23 years had a seriously leaky roof and a crumbling foundation, and she and her family weren’t in a position to fix either one. “Four or five years ago we had our first roof leak...
Majority of City Councilmembers Support Angel Davis Eviction Accountability Bill
PHILADELPHIA – Today, Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) announced legislation to bring oversight and accountability to Philadelphia’s eviction system, which has been plagued by violence for years. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Councilmember Nicolas...
How We Move Forward Together: People’s Action
For the US Left, much of last year was marked by big shifts and big gatherings, taking stock and plotting paths. Convergence first conceived of this series before Hamas attacked Israel and Israel invaded Gaza, shattering lives and upending politics. But as the shadows...