This week, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) will honor Larry Swanson, Executive Director of ACTION-Housing, Inc. as well as board member of RHLS for X years with a PLAN Excellence Award for Client and Lay Advocacy.
Larry Swanson has served low-income citizens of Pennsylvania through his work in housing for over thirty-five years. During this time, he has proven an indispensable ally to legal services providers across our state.
As Executive Director of ACTION-Housing, Inc., and formerly as Deputy Director, Larry has been responsible for the real estate development and management of over 1,200 units of housing with a combined value of over $100 million, serving some of the most needy residents of the Western half of our state.
In addition to his role at ACTION-Housing, Larry served as a founding member of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania and served as board president from 1985 until 1999. He served on the state advisory committee that developed the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program in Pennsylvania and helped develop a state-wide mortgage assistance program that is now the largest publicly funded program of its type in the entire country. Larry additionally worked with the Housing Partnership Network to develop a national insurance initiative that provides coverage for 35,000 rental homes across the country.
Larry’s accomplishments in housing policy and program development have benefited both legal aid programs and clients immensely. Recognizing that change in housing policy requires legal expertise through various channels, Larry has supported legal services by acting as a vocal and tireless advocate for both the work of Regional Housing Legal Services and for other legal services entities across our state.
The staff and board of RHLS offers Larry the biggest congratulations on this well-deserved award!