Pennsylvania Law Removes Obstacles to Blight Reduction

Pennsylvania legislators approved legislation that would remove roadblocks for blight reduction efforts of land banks in Pittsburgh and other cities in Allegheny County. The bill was signed into law by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro this week.

The bill “would let land banks in Pittsburgh and other Allegheny County municipalities use a faster process to obtain a clear title to blighted properties,” reported For Turner for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in June. Turner was also the source of the news that Gov. Shapiro has signed the bill, via Twitter.

The primary sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) is quoted extensively in the June article, including crediting a bill that stalled in last year’s legislative session for providing the model for the blight reduction plan.

Blight is a statewide issue in Pennsylvania, where population declines are connected to the loss of employers. “Blight is often tied to population drops that occur when a key employer like a coal mine or a steel mill closes, but population declines also can be triggered by other causes,” explains Turner.

Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) the sponsor of last year’s bill, is quoted in the article saying, “We don’t need every old coal miner’s house” to stay standing. Senators Argall and Fontana hope that by giving municipalities “more tools in the toolbox,” they can be more effective at reducing blighted properties.