Community Development Champion: Senator Art Haywood

Art began working at Community Legal Services, saving families from home foreclosure. He also worked at Regional Housing Legal Services, and in private practice as a lawyer, assisting nonprofit organizations to revitalize neighborhoods. Senator Haywood has previously served as legal counsel to Esperanza, a community development organization in Hunting Park.

Through his leadership as a State Senator, Art has worked to reduce homelessness through expansion of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act, passed requirements to test for lead in water in Pennsylvania schools, and successfully championed legislation to relocate domestic violence survivors living in public housing.

Senator Haywood completed his Poverty Listening Tour in 2019 and issued a report with 20 recommendations to reduce poverty in every community of Pennsylvania. In 2020, he fought for $193 million in federal CARES Act funds to be allocated to prevent evictions, foreclosures, and homelessness in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency awarded Senator Haywood the Award of Excellence for his advocacy for affordable and fair housing and homelessness prevention.

In February 2021, Governor Tom Wolf appointed Senator Haywood to his COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force to improve the vaccine distribution in Pennsylvania. City & State Magazine listed him on the Pennsylvania Healthcare Power 100 List in their July 2021 issue for his work as the minority chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and member of the task force.

Most recently, Haywood organized with African American college students to end campus racism at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education universities. He was instrumental in the state legislature passing $200 million for PASSHE, which includes funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This will ensure the safety and success of Black, Brown, and White students on the 14 college campuses.

PACDC congratulates Senator Art Haywood on being recognized as one of PACDC’s 2023 Community Development Champion!