title
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2023 State Senator Jay Costa introduced Senate Bill 219 known as the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act; and,
body
WHEREAS, on March 30, 2023 State Representative Sara Innamorato introduced House Bill 788 as a companion bill in the State House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, many Pittsburgh homeowners bought or inherited their homes at a time when property values were drastically lower than they are today; and,
WHEREAS, as Pittsburgh experiences an improved economy, increased investment, and positive development in many of its neighborhoods, longtime owner occupants have been and will continue to be put at risk of being forced out of their homes due to rapid increases in property taxes; and,
WHEREAS, this increase in the cost of living has disproportionately affected Black homeowners, leading in part to the City’s loss of 10,500 Black residents over the past decade; and,
WHEREAS, the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act will grant second class cities, like the City of Pittsburgh, the power to grant a deferral or exemption for the portion of an increase of real property tax on the principal residence of longtime owner-occupants; and,
WHEREAS, this ability will allow the City to protect longtime owner occupants in the neighborhoods most impacted by development and gentrification; and,
WHEREAS, it is vital that the General Assembly grant the City of Pittsburgh the same authority as other large cities in the state facing the same issues to meet its changing conditions and needs,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Will of Council will be distributed to the Allegheny County delegation of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.