Pennsylvania Housing Research Center

The Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) serves the home building industry and the residents of Pennsylvania by improving the quality and affordability of housing. PHRC conducts applied research, fosters the development and commercialization of innovative technologies, and transfers appropriate technologies to the housing community. The PHRC training programs and publications reach a large audience within the construction industry including builders, remodelers, land developers, engineers, architects, planners, code officials, and local government officials. Through the various types of programs, the PHRC offers continuing education or professional development credit to code officials, professional engineers, architects, and landscape architects. The broader goals of the PHRC are: 1. To be a recognized center of competence for housing-related training, technology transfer, education, research, development, and demonstration. 2. To be a valued resource for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the building industry and design professionals in Pennsylvania, 3. To focus on all technical aspects of housing, with emphasis on: residential land use, site development and subdivision design; the building enclosure (walls, roofs, windows, etc.); structural systems; service systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.); construction materials and methods; the overall delivery process; componentization and industrialization; and computer-related developments. 4. To promote the following building and construction attributes: quality, affordability, energy efficiency, accessibility, sustainability, and durability.