Merkl-Gump Campaign Unveils Housing Affordability Plan for the Lehigh Valley & Bucks County
(Perkasie, PA) — State Senate candidate Bradley Merkl-Gump today unveiled his housing affordability plan for the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County, focused on lowering costs, increasing supply, and ensuring working families can afford to live in the communities they serve.
The plan comes as housing costs across the Lehigh Valley continue to rise sharply, putting pressure on renters, first-time homebuyers and essential workers.
Recent data shows:
Median home prices in the region have climbed as high as $360,000, reflecting rapid increases in just the past year (LehighValleyNews.com)
Median home prices in Lehigh County are now around $369,500, with continued year-over-year growth (Realtor)
Median home prices in Bucks County are over $510,000
Average rents in the Lehigh Valley are approximately $1,800 per month, with many families struggling to keep up (RentCafe)
A typical teacher cannot afford a median mortgage in 61 of 62 municipalities, highlighting a severe workforce housing gap (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission)
“Working families are being priced out of the communities they call home,” said Merkl-Gump. “Teachers, nurses, and first responders should be able to live where they work—but right now, that’s increasingly out of reach. We need bold, practical solutions to make housing more affordable across the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County.”
Drawing on successful legislative frameworks advanced in Harrisburg, Merkl-Gump’s plan focuses on three core strategies:
1. Increase Housing Supply & Workforce Housing
Expand state support for affordable and workforce housing development
Incentivize mixed-income housing and transit-oriented development
Reduce barriers to building starter homes and “missing middle” housing
2. Lower Costs for Renters and Homeowners
Create and expand tax credits to support affordable housing construction and preservation
Strengthen protections against rent instability and displacement
Support first-time homebuyer assistance programs
3. Modernize Zoning & Support Local Communities
Provide tools and funding for municipalities to update zoning and land-use policies
Encourage smart growth that balances development with infrastructure and community needs
Partner with local governments to address regional housing shortages
“If we don’t act, we risk becoming a region where only the wealthiest can afford to live. That’s not who we are and it’s not the future we should accept,” Merkl-Gump said.
Pennsylvania’s 16th Senate District is expected to be one of the most competitive races in the state, with affordability issues like housing at the center of the campaign.
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