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Commissioner urges countywide housing task force after study finds inventory shortages and aging stock
Summary
A commissioner presented a nearly 300‑page housing study showing tight supply, aging housing stock and renter cost burdens, and proposed forming a countywide housing task force to coordinate municipalities, developers, nonprofits and lenders to preserve, repair and expand usable housing.
A commissioner told the Lackawanna County board on April 15 that a recently completed county housing study shows the county’s housing market is at a breaking point and proposed a countywide housing task force to coordinate a regional response.
The study, prepared with the Institute for Public Policy and regional partners, is nearly 300 pages and compiles census data, market analysis and stakeholder interviews. The commissioner summarized several findings: housing inventory has fallen sharply (listings down significantly since 2017), much of the county’s housing stock predates 1960 and carries elevated repair costs, many renters—particularly those earning $20,000–$35,000—are cost‑burdened, and roughly half of vacant units are unusable due to disrepair or legal impediments.
"We have a system that makes it easier to say no than to build what we actually need in the county," the commissioner said, arguing that fragmented zoning across more than 40 municipalities impedes new construction and renovation. The presentation emphasized three priorities: stabilize families at risk of displacement, invest in repair and preservation of existing homes, and prepare vacant or blighted properties for redevelopment.
To address those goals, the commissioner proposed creating a countywide housing task force that would bring together municipal leaders, builders, nonprofits, lenders, employers and planning professionals to align zoning, mobilize financing for repairs, convert usable vacant properties to housing, and produce a coordinated strategy for new supply.
The board signaled interest in moving the discussion to a work session and in involving the county’s economic development department and regional partners. Commissioners noted the county’s modest population growth and a planned Scranton–New York rail connection as factors that will increase housing demand.
No formal vote accompanied the presentation; the proposal was framed as a next step to coordinate stakeholders and develop an actionable plan.
