Capitol Hearing Focuses on Housing Shortage Resulting From Marcellus Shale Drilling Boom

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday in Harrisburg to seek further input on the impact the emerging natural gas industry is having on housing in Northcentral Pennsylvania, according to committee Chairman Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming).

Among those who testified were representatives of landlords’ associations, realtors, housing organizations and energy companies. Yaw said the hearing was a follow-up to a related meeting that was held earlier this year in Towanda.

“Since that meeting, it has become clear that the housing situation continues to be a concern for local residents, particularly low- to moderate-income families, senior citizens and those seeking affordable rental properties,” Yaw said. “The housing market in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania simply hasn’t been able to keep pace with the influx of new workers and their families who are coming here as a result of the Marcellus Shale play.”

Yaw said those testifying agreed that the booming industry is placing an ever-increasing demand on the limited availability of rental housing. Because many of the incoming gas industry workers have a higher ability to pay for housing, rents have skyrocketed – in some cases doubling or tripling – and fewer rentals are available.

“This creates a serious problem for local residents, especially those who rent,” Yaw said. “Supply and demand has caused families to be displaced when their leases run out, and in some cases forced to live in substandard housing because they have been priced out of the rental market.”

A number of those testifying recommended that legislators and state officials develop a long-term planning process as a response to the housing shortage, particularly since other areas of the state where Marcellus Shale is being discovered will be impacted. They said the state must work with counties and municipalities to determine how they can meet housing and infrastructure needs.

“The Marcellus Shale industry has brought jobs and economic development to our area at a time when many communities are struggling,” Yaw said. “Our goal is to ensure that as the industry grows, our municipalities can provide the resources and infrastructure needed to accommodate both new workers and current residents.”

Urban Affairs and Housing Committee

Senator Gene Yaw, Chair
Senator David Argall, Vice Chair

Republicans:
Folmer
Smucker
Vogel
Waugh

Democrats:
Kitchen, Chair
Ferlo
Fontana
Washington

Public Hearing

Impact of the Natural Gas Industry on Housing in Northcentral Pennsylvania

September 28, 2010
10:00 AM
Room 8EA
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

– 1:45

Please click on links to view more information.  This will open a PDF document in a new window.

10:00 AM Senator Yaw
Opening Comments
10:10 AM Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

10:30 AM Central Bradford Progress Authority

10:45 AM Bradford County Landlords’ Association

11:00 PM Robin Real Estate, Inc.

11:15 PM Chesapeake Energy

11:30 PM Trehab

11:45 PM Futures Community Support Services

12: 00 PM Adjourn

Additional Testimony

If you need further information or have any questions, please contact Adam Pankake of my office at 717-787-3280.

Contact: Adam Pankake
(717) 787-3280

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