Burns urges federal action on public housing ‘loophole’
Resolution seeks changes to stop imported problems from larger cities like Philadelphia
Rep. Frank Burns May 12, 2026 | 4:50 PM
HARRISBURG, May 12 — After a rash of shootings and other violent crimes in Johnstown, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced today he is preparing a new House resolution urging the federal government to downsize the city’s public housing.
Burns is circulating a co-sponsorship memo for a resolution asking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to enact policy changes that will prevent Section 8 seekers from abusing the public housing system by claiming residency in Johnstown.
With long waiting lists for Philadelphia public housing, Burns said, some Philadelphians circumvent the system by claiming residency in Johnstown to get into public housing with the goal of obtaining a Section 8 voucher only to take that voucher and move back to where they came from. The Johnstown Housing Authority still has to foot the bill for the voucher, even when the public housing resident leaves Johnstown.
“This practice is putting a burden on local taxpayers, law enforcement and social service providers in Cambria County,” Burns wrote in his co-sponsor memo. “At one point in 2020, the JHA was paying nearly $1.8 million on families that no longer lived in the county. Unfortunately, without a change in HUD policy, individuals will continue to game the system and take advantage of the JHA.”
According to the Johnstown Housing Authority, up to 80 families per month migrate to Johnstown to obtain public housing and the coveted Section 8 voucher, and up to half of its units are filled by people outside of Cambria County.
In response to these statistics, Burns said, “Johnstown must right-size our public housing to match local demand and stop importing poverty. We can’t afford to continue this practice.”
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“Unfortunately, without a change in HUD policy, individuals will continue to exploit the Section 8 program and take advantage of our area, leaving us to deal with the problems.” – Rep. Burns
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Burns’ resolution is a companion to a similar resolution that has been introduced in the Senate.
Burns has been a longtime vocal advocate of a reduction in Johnstown's public housing, citing an excess of public housing that is being filled by inviting tenants and related poverty issues from Philadelphia.
The latest shooting in the city occurred this past weekend when shots were fired on the 600 block of Napoleon Street, according to news reports. It marked the fourth shooting in the city in recent weeks, in addition to a stabbing.