Below you’ll find news and updates about Chester County’s Housing Planning.
Category: Housing News
eTools Promote Options for A+ Homes
This month’s highlighted eTools look at creating opportunities for A+ Homes in Chester County. Additional affordable, accessible, adaptable, and aging-friendly housing options can be made available through residential conversions, accessory dwelling units, housing rehabilitation, and affordable housing bonuses.
First Housing Forum Held
Putting a spotlight on policies for affordably-priced homes, new residential designs, and housing tools for municipalities, the County’s first annual housing forum, Creating A+ Homes, was held last week. Attended by approximately 70 representatives from municipalities, developers, realtors, consulting firms, community organizations, and others, the event was headlined by keynote speakers Ray D’Agostino, CEO of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and Brian Phillips, AIA, founding Principal of ISA. Ray D’Agostino shared stories of his experience in municipal government and with the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership regarding creating homes that are affordable for a range of income levels, while Brian Phillips discussed the design and construction of different housing types, particularly smaller footprint homes.
Housing Authority of Chester County Executive Director Discusses Affordable Housing for Low Income Residents
Residents of Chester County have a high quality of life, enjoying preserved open space, recreational amenities, and job and commercial service options. However, for many in the county, a barrier to a high quality of life is the high cost of homes.
Established in 1963, the Housing Authority of Chester County (HACC) works to provide low income residents with affordably priced housing options. Dale Gravett, Executive Director of HACC, attended the Chester County Planning Commission’s board meeting on November 13 and discussed HACC’s mission to provide, manage and develop quality affordable housing for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization.
Fall Planners’ Forum Focuses on Housing and Open Space
Topics ranging from housing to open space preservation were discussed during the Chester County Planning Commission’s fall 2019 Planners’ Forum. About 60 people attended the forum, which took place at Historic Yellow Springs in West Pikeland Township on Oct. 1.
“At the forum, we heard three excellent presentations,” said Chester County Planning Commission Executive Director Brian O’Leary.
Join us at Creating A+ Homes Forum on Nov. 14th
We are pleased to launch the “A+ Homes” initiative as we work to implement Landscapes3 and its housing recommendations. A joint effort of the Planning Commission, Department of Community Development, and Housing Choices Committee, A+ Homes focuses on creating homes that are attractive, affordably-priced, adaptable, aging-friendly, and accessible. Every person needs and deserves a place to come home to – a place that provides them shelter and comfort, a place where they feel part of the community. Continue Reading →
Meet Planning Commission's New Housing and Economic Planner
Every month, the Planning Commission highlights one of its staff or board members. Housing and Economic Planner Libby Horwitz, AICP joined the team on June 17th. Libby, a former economic development coordinator for the City of Urbana in Illinois who is originally from Havertown, shared her journey to the Planning Commission and discussed her life philosophy, interests, and more. Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Releases Annual Housing Report
Looking for a snapshot of housing conditions in Chester County? The Planning Commission recently released its annual Housing Report for 2018, which documented an overall increase in recent years in both the cost of units and the number of units built. Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Sheds Light on 2018 Housing Trends
Apartments continued to be the most popular proposed housing type in Chester County in 2018 – a trend that started a few years ago – but there also was an increase in proposals for single-family detached homes.
Planning Commission Highlights Affordably-Priced Housing Issue
Did you know that the median housing value in Chester County in 2017 was $337,000 – the highest in the state?
That can make it difficult for a broad spectrum of people – professionals, those in the trades, first-time home buyers, and seniors – to afford housing in Chester County. To delve more into this data, check out the Planning Commission’s PowerPoint presentation. Continue Reading →
Experts Discuss Ways to Tackle Affordably-Priced Housing in Chester County
It’s no secret that Chester County is a desirable place to live, especially since it has won many awards and accolades for education, leisure and tourism, employment, and open space. However, many people want to live in Chester County but cannot afford to do so. Continue Reading →