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A Place to Call Home: How Inglis is Building Up Communities Amidst the Pennsylvania Housing Crisis

By Lauren Tilghman

Annually, Inglis and our Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania program host a conference that brings together thought leaders, change makers, advocates, and legislators from across the State to support each other through one of the biggest challenges we face as a community—affordable, accessible housing.

In Pennsylvania alone, 79% of all housing units across the State were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went into law; and currently there is an estimated shortage of 267,0000 affordable housing units for extremely low-income renters. The cost of housing for both renters and homeowners continues to rise; with nearly 50% of renters and 20% of homeowners now spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. As the state population continues to age, a significant portion of Pennsylvania households are also classified as “ALICE:” asset limited, income constrained, and employed; meaning they earn above the poverty level but not enough to afford basic needs, including housing. The Commonwealth is also at risk of losing over 20,000 publicly-supported rental homes, with another 12,000 units of public housing desperately in need of investments for upgrades and remodels. The urgency to create and sustain affordable, accessible housing grows higher every day—especially in rural areas of the State. So how is Inglis making a difference? 

By bridging the connection gap.

Each year Inglis’ housing conference, Opening Doors Together, connects networks of housing developers, contractors, provider agencies, non-profits, and local municipality organizations with the resources that prioritize, expand, and support the creation of accessible, affordable across Pennsylvania and beyond. Inglis continues to foster partnerships not only for itself, but for the organizations throughout the Commonwealth that equally value and advocate for more inclusive communities. It is through the power of connection and by creating spaces to help drive sustainable change —that we can ensure that one day everyone will have a place to call home.

In August the 2025 Opening Doors Together conference engaged nearly 200 guests over two days in Harrisburg, PA. This year’s Conference featured thought provoking keynotes from Gary Gilliam, a former NFL player and entrepreneur in the housing industry, PA Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, and PA Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger; as well as 14 breakout sessions led by various innovators from across the housing and disability sectors. 

To read a full recap on this year’s conference visit www.inglis.org/openingdoors, and to learn more about the Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania program visit www.inglis.org/sdhp.