Hey PGH housing advocates, just so you know, PA emergency authority statute has some housing-related gems stuffed into the provisions. ⁦⁦ @TenantProject⁩ ⁦ @HillCDC⁩ I skimmed the law while prepping my ConLaw syllabus on state emergency powers https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/07/14/republicans-mount-new-challenge-to-governors-pandemic-power/

(2) Wolf enjoys specific powers related to temporary housing. For example, pursuant to Section 7302(a), Wolf could purchase or lease temporary housing units from the federal government...

(3) He could also financially support political subdivisions to provide relief housing by “passing through” agency funds, lending or backstopping their credit as co-partner...

(4) The emergency statute also gives Wolf the authority to suspend or modify regulations if “essential” to produce temporary housing...

(5) And lastly, Section 7302(b) also authorizes political subdivisions to temporarily or permanently acquire sites (whether land, vacant structures, etc.) for temporary housing and equip them by entering into “whatever arrangements necessary.”

(6) One could think of a lot of creative and innovate ways to produce affordable housing in collaboration with local governments and community groups by interpreting the plain text of the emergency statute broadly enough to include relief for a number of housing hardships.