KOP Rail cancellation leaves SEPTA with an extra $340M
With the recent demise of the King of Prussia rail extension project, SEPTA suddenly had an extra $340 million to spend on infrastructure projects. SEPTA stopped the 4-mile extension of the Norristown High Speed line, which would have served King of Prussia and the Valley Forge casino, after it failed to get a federal grant for final design and the start of construction. The extra money will now allow SEPTA to accelerate projects that were on the 12-year capital plan, according to the agency’s CEO, Leslie Richards. Trolley modernization will get an additional $100 million, and $200 million more will go toward replacing Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars that are nearly 50 years old. SEPTA will also be able to make more transit rail stations accessible for people with mobility issues sooner than planned. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/11/2023

Habitat for Humanity’s 2022 State of Home Affordability in PA paints a grim picture
The goal of Habitat for Humanity’s Cost of Home campaign is to increase home affordability for 10 million people by influencing policies and systems at the local, state and national levels. Most authorities agree that families and individuals should spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. Habitat has produced “State of Affordability fact sheets” that provide information on how each state is doing. According to Habitat, Pennsylvania is faring poorly — one out of every eight Pennsylvania households is spending more than half their income on housing, far exceeding the guidelines. Find out more from the 2022 State of Home Affordability in Pennsylvania fact sheet.
Source: Habitat for Humanity

April is Fair Housing Month
Every April, Realtors commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and reflect on housing discrimination and segregation, past and present. As community leaders, real estate professionals have an opportunity to be a part of equitable and inclusive change. Fair Housing Month signifies a recommitment to advancing equitable opportunities and expanding homeownership. Reflect. Repair. Renew. Because That’s Who We R^®. Read more about resources and recommendations for members here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 4/2023

Neshaminy School District considering an earned income tax
Neshaminy School District business administrator Donald Irwin recommended that the district take steps to levy an earned income tax (EIT) during a recent meeting of the school board’s business operations committee. Irwin said the earned income tax, if levied, would be “revenue neutral,” meaning it would be accompanied by offsets in other taxes, including an increase in the homestead exemption resulting in reduced property tax bills. He continued by saying an EIT would be advantageous for retired property owners — because retirement income is not subject to the tax — while alleviating some of their property tax burden. Irwin added it probably makes sense for the district to start relying more on an EIT and less on property taxes because wages figure to grow at a higher rate than real estate assessments. A Pennsylvania school district cannot simply decide to collect an EIT. A commission would be formed to conduct an extensive tax study, and the school board would then vote on whether to place the question on a voter referendum, where the district’s electorate would have final say. Irwin’s estimated timeline shows the earliest the issue would be on the ballot would be the general election in November 2025, meaning that if an EIT is approved by Neshaminy voters that day, it wouldn’t take effect until the start of the 2026-2027 school year on July 1, 2026. Four of the six municipalities that make up Neshaminy — Lower Southampton Township and Hulmeville, Penndel and Langhorne boroughs — already have a 1% earned income tax. If Neshaminy levies one, it would start taking half of the EIT in those municipalities.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 4/6/2023

2023 Point in Time counts shows decrease in Bucks homelessness
The Bucks County Housing Link conducted a federally mandated Point in Time (PIT) count at the end of January. Preliminary results from the 2023 PIT count showed a 27% decrease in homelessness from last year. Led by the Housing Link Street Outreach teams, staff and volunteers canvased throughout the county to survey residents who are experiencing homelessness. The count found 313 people sleeping in emergency shelters, residing in transitional housing or living outdoors. The number of children experiencing homelessness this year dropped by 38% and, for the seventh year in a row, no children were found sleeping outside. While overall numbers were down, the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness increased by 18%, with 67 people unsheltered and another 38 sleeping in Code Blue (seasonal) shelters. See the press release for additional 2023 PIT data.
Source: Bucks County; 4/4/2023

New envelopes aim to cut down on rejected ballots
New for the 2023 primary, changes to mail-in and absentee ballot envelopes will make it easier for Bucks County voters and Board of Elections staff to spot “naked” ballots before Election Day. The changes include a small hole punched through the bottom corner of the postage-paid return envelopes, and new inner secrecy envelopes that are yellow in color. Now if a ballot is returned to the Board of Elections “naked,” meaning it is not enclosed in a secrecy envelope, staff will see a white dot indicating the yellow envelope is missing. The voter can then be notified and given time to fix the issue. State law prohibits the counting of “naked” ballots, and also bars the opening of mail-in and absentee ballot envelopes before 7 a.m. on Election Day. As a result, “naked” ballots typically have gone unnoticed until it’s too late to remedy.
Source: Bucks County; 4/2023

Solebury Land Preservation Committee seeks members
Solebury Township has more than 40 volunteers who sit on permanent and ad hoc advisory boards, identifying problems to solve, researching solutions and recommending policies. The Land Preservation Committee is currently seeking applicants for three two-year full members and three one-year associate members. The committee meets monthly and is charged with advocating for and promoting land preservation in Solebury. Members are assisted by legal counsel and technical expertise from consultants from Heritage Conservancy, Natural Lands and the Land Trust of Bucks County. To learn more about volunteering, visit the township website.
Source: Solebury Township; 4/2023

Central Bucks demographic study presentation is April 27
Central Bucks School District contracted with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates (CRA) to analyze enrollment trends and the utilization of space within existing school buildings. A preliminary overview of their findings was presented in the fall. District officials have continued to assess enrollment and community housing trends, as well as the changing composition of the student population, in consultation with CRA’s recommendations. There will be a demographics study presentation on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at CB West, 375 W. Court St., Doylestown. The meeting will provide the community with an update regarding available options, recommendations for action, a timeline of next steps, and an overview of how the district can implement a plan that ensures optimal use of facilities and academic programming that leads to improved outcomes for students.
Source: Doylestown Borough; 4/2023

West Goshen plans public hearing on rental ordinance amendments
West Goshen Township supervisors will consider and possibly adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 75 of the West Goshen Township Code, titled “Rental Property.” The amended section will require the biennial inspection of rental units after the initial rental licenses are issued. Currently, West Goshen requires a yearly inspection. The ordinance will be considered for adoption following a public hearing as part of the supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the West Goshen Township Municipal Building, 1025 Paoli Pike, West Chester.
Source: Daily Local; 4/10/2023

Crebilly Farm buyers get more time to find funding
The original deadline for Westtown Township and Natural Lands to secure funding to purchase Crebilly Farm has passed, but the deadline has been extended by the Robinson family that owns the land and the township. The township and the conservancy organization now have until March 31, 2024, to find the funding. Proponents say the land should be saved, in part, because Battle of Brandywine participants likely marched across the rolling farmland during the Revolutionary War. Natural Lands and the township have collected about $20 million of the roughly $25 million cost for preservation through grants, private donations and a voter referendum. The cost of the eastern two-thirds of the 206-acre park acquisition is $20.6 million, or $100,000 per acre. There is a separate agreement to sell conservation easements across four parcels of about 25 acres each, on 102 acres on the western third of the property. Those properties will remain as private property, with $4.3 million in public funding needed for preservation. So far, Chester County has contributed $2.15 million toward the easements. The other half of the funding would come from the township. The easements might be sold by the property owner, the Robinson family, as soon as May. Structures on the easements will be limited and farming will be allowed on the easements, but not the bulk of Crebilly.
Source: Daily Local; 4/5/2023

East Goshen to consider ordinances relating to volunteer fire companies
East Goshen Township supervisors will consider two ordinances that impact volunteer fire companies. An amendment to Chapter 211 of the township code would permit township residents who volunteer for an emergency medical service agency or fire department to receive earned income and real estate tax credits. The East Goshen Township Emergency Service Cost Reimbursement Ordinance authorizes volunteer fire companies operating within East Goshen Township to seek reimbursement for reasonable costs of emergency rescue tools, equipment and materials, and permits third party services to collect from insurance carriers. The township is not responsible for reimbursement under the ordinance, and fire departments may not collect expenses directly from individuals. The ordinance will be considered at a public meeting on Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m., at the township building, 1580 Paoli Pike, West Chester.
Source: Daily Local; 4/11/2023

Amish couple claims religious violation in West Caln board’s denial
An Amish couple contends that a zoning restriction that prohibits them from keeping a horse on their one-acre property in West Caln Township violates their religious liberties, and they are awaiting trial in Common Pleas Court on their challenge to the township code. Samuel and Sadie Mae Stoltzfus filed an appeal of the township supervisors’ decision earlier this year denying their request for an amendment to the township’s zoning code that would allow them to keep a horse they use for transportation on the property they own across from their home on Sandy Hill Road — a rural area north of West King’s Highway in western Chester County. The couple contends that their right to practice their religion is being infringed upon because of the 3-acre minimum for horses. As part of their Amish convictions, the appeal states, “they believe that they are prohibited from ownership or operation of motor vehicles on public roads and their primary means of transportation.” The township requires at least three acres for a horse or other livestock. In their decision, the three township supervisors stated that the decision to keep the minimum lot sizes for horses and other livestock had nothing to do with the religious beliefs of the property owners. Instead, it concerned the ability of the township to provide for safe conditions and reasonable zoning requirements in residential areas.
Source: Daily Times; 4/6/2023

Lack of digital equity continues to affect parts of southern Chester County
In early 2021, the Southern Chester Digital Equity Coalition was formed by residents to advocate for improved digital access throughout the region. At a recent meeting of the Kennett Township supervisors, coalition member Whitney Hoffman — a former Kennett supervisor — told the board that, while digital infrastructure in the region is one of the strongest in the commonwealth, there remains a long way to go before complete equity is reached. “We have some places [in the township] that don’t have good wired access to houses, and then we all found out during the pandemic when kids were issued Wi-Fi hot points to get on the internet for their virtual classes, that you couldn’t get good cellular access everywhere in the township,” Hoffman said. As in other parts of the state, the obstacles to achieving digital equity in southern Chester County include a lack of reliable access, outdated cable infrastructure and the area’s rural topography. On the federal level, the Digital Equity Act and the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion — that ensure Americans have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy.
Source: Chester County Press; 4/11/2023