Since taking office, Shapiro cut child care and education costs for Pennsylvania families.
- Signed a major expansion of the Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, helping to make child care more affordable for over 200,000 Pennsylvania families.
- Secured a new Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit to encourage businesses to contribute to their employees’ child care expenses.
- Announced an increase in the base rates paid to child care providers through the Child Care Works program, helping making child care more affordable and accessible for low-income, working families.
- Increased funding for Child Care Services by $66.7 million, allowing up to 75,000 low-income families to continue to be enrolled in subsidized child care through the Child Care Works Program.
- Established a student loan interest deduction, providing significant relief to Pennsylvania graduates burdened with student debt.
- Offered a new tax credit to allow businesses to match employee contributions to a state-run college savings plan.
[The Property Tax Rent Rebate] has been immense for me because I'm on a very limited income. It allows me to keep my car operating and helps me pay for my co-pays.
- James Crosby
Erie, PA resident
The Shapiro Administration delivered commonsense solutions to lower housing costs and expand affordable housing.
- Expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program—the largest targeted tax cut for seniors in nearly two decades. In 2024, more than 500,000 seniors and people with disabilities received over $302 million in rebates, with more than 105,000 of those being first-time filers.
- Signed an Executive Order directing his Administration to create Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the Commonwealth’s housing shortage, address homelessness, and expand affordable, accessible housing options.
- Successfully raised the cap for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) by $10 million to help municipalities build and repair more affordable housing.
- Delivered over $120.3 million through the Whole-Home Repairs program from the Department of Community and Economic Development to the 64 counties who joined the program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners and landlords repair, adapt, and weatherize their homes.
- Secured $5 million in funding for the Help at Home (OPTIONS) program through the Department of Aging to reduce the waitlist of seniors seeking services to help them stay in their homes.
- Invested $2.5 million in state funding—the first ever—to provide legal counsel for those facing evictions.
- Secured a $5 million increase for the Homeless Assistance Program to provide housing supportive services like rental assistance and bridge housing.