Here’s what Shapiro will need to overcome to fix the high cost of housing in Pa.

Other states are passing laws to loosen local zoning restrictions and encourage new development — despite often fierce opposition from groups representing local governments. “Pennsylvania has an opportunity to really push itself forward here.”Falling behindUnderlying Pennsylvania’s housing crunch is the law of supply and demand. Over the same period, local governments issued only enough building permits to increase the state’s housing stock by 3.4%. “We don’t have enough housing, the cost of housing is going up, and the housing we do have is getting older and is in need of more repairs,” Shapiro said, announcing the plan. More recently, lawmakers from both parties have circulated proposals that echo some of the recommendations floated during the outreach for Shapiro’s housing plan.