The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee convened a roundtable discussion in Phoenixville hosted by state Rep. Paul Friel (D-26) to talk with housing advocates and experts about what can be done to put more Pennsylvanians in homes. "The stark reality of today's economy is working families can no longer afford to buy a home in Chester County, and many other regions of the state," Friel said. Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, which was represented at the meeting, has more than 150 homes in the development process across the county, and is partnering with the Hankin Group to build a 40-unit affordable housing building in Phoenixville. But new construction faces a swath of barriers, including rising infrastructure costs, construction costs and red tape. “Builders in our area face enormous upfront costs — often $75,000 to $100,000 per lot — before they can even put a shovel in the ground,” said Kathleen McQuilkin, a board member of the Suburban Realtors Alliance and a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. “With base prices up to $100,000 and the costs of materials and labor at a record high, builders are essentially forced to build more expensive properties to recoup their costs. … These increased costs are sometimes coupled with restrictive zoning ordinances, which limits housing options and further complicates the new home construction process.” Read more here.
Source: Office of Rep. Ryan Bizzarro; 12/9/2025