Yes, the university works with local authorities within which all campuses operate. An example of this is Penn State’s Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) provides and facilitates education, training, innovation, research, and dissemination to the residential construction industry for the purpose of improving the quality and affordability of housing. The PHRC collaboratively engages with the residential construction industry to catalyze advancements in home building and addresses a range of topics relevant to the home building industry to reach a diverse audience: builders, code officials, remodelers, architects, developers, engineers, planners, landscape architects, local government officials, educators, etc. to provide professional development and continuing education. 
 
Additionally, Penn State partners with the State College Community Land Trust through PHRC and the Hamer Center for Community Design to support and advance affordable housing for local residents.