NAR offers rental assistance resources
The new federal eviction moratorium expires on Sunday, Oct. 3. Housing providers should keep in mind that some state and local governments may still have their own eviction moratoria in place. The National Association of Realtors^® (NAR) has always maintained that the best solution for all parties was rental assistance to cover the rent, taxes and utility bills for tenants struggling during the pandemic. Such an approach prevents two crises — one for tenants, and one for rental housing providers who do not have a reprieve from their bills. NAR has information about rental assistance resources available online or by texting "EVICTION" to 30644. Learn more about emergency rental relief programs in suburban Philadelphia here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 8/9/2021

Legislators seek public input on redistricting
As the congressional redistricting process begins again in Pennsylvania, residents can suggest boundaries for “communities of interest” and comment on the current district map using online mapping tools at the PaRedistricting website. Video guides offer more information on how to use the tools on the page. The site is also a source for information on 10 statewide hearings on redrawing congressional districts being held by the House State Government Committee. Users can also sign up to receive updates directly from the committee. Every 10 years, information collected through the U.S. Census determines the number of U.S. representatives each state is entitled to based on population. Once in receipt of the data, states are responsible for redrawing the geographic area of their congressional districts to ensure equal and fair representation and the physical manifestation of the constitutional principle, “one person, one vote.” The process is commonly referred to as redistricting.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 8/3/2021

NAR thanks senator opposed to use of G-fees as pay-for
On Aug. 5, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) submitted an amendment to the proposed bi-partisan infrastructure bill requesting guarantee fees (g-fees) be dropped as a pay-for. The National Association of Realtors^® (NAR), along with the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Home Builders, subsequently sent a letter of appreciation to Lee, thanking him for recognizing the importance of infrastructure investments in the bill, but also of the pressing homeownership, supply and other housing needs that should be prioritized for g-fee funding. “[W]e believe that the GSEs’ guarantee fees should be set by the enterprises or their conservator to fund their operations in fulfillment of their charter duties, and that Congress should not statutorily raise these fees to fund other priorities,” NAR and its cosigners wrote in the letter. Learn more about g-fees on the Federal Housing Finance Agency website.
Source: Nar.realtor; 8/6/2021

Bucks and PA officials urge those facing eviction to apply for help
Bucks County officials and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead are urging those at risk of eviction because of COVID-19 to apply for available assistance. In 2020, Bucks County launched the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance program (BERA), which provides rental and utility assistance to eligible tenants impacted by the pandemic. County Commissioner Bob Harvie said the county has $40 million to give out through BERA and, to date, has given out a little less than 25% of that. “In order for it to work, we really need tenants and landlords working together,” Harvey said. “We’re trying to get the message out as much as we can. This is a program that helps the landlords who we think of as small business owners.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium through early October for counties with substantial or high levels of COVID-19, which currently includes all of suburban Philadelphia. Snead encouraged people “to apply today” — and to let the counties worry about eligibility — by visiting the BERA website or calling 1-888-50-BUCKS.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 8/10/2021

Northampton Township to consider SALDO amendments
The Northampton Township Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance to amend Chapter 27 of the municipal code, Zoning, as well as Chapter 22, the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). The amendment would update sections related to detached garages, unenclosed porticos, sheds, residential recreational surfaces, removal of topsoil, visibility at intersections, storage of junk vehicles, keeping of livestock, impervious surface and stormwater management, administrative procedures/permits, amendments and penalties, signs, and lighting. The complete text of the proposed ordinance is available on the township website. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Northampton Township Building, 55 Township Road, Richboro.
Source: Northampton Township; 8/9/2021

Reminder: Falls Township requires 30 days for U&O applications
Falls Township recently amended its use & occupancy permit requirements but is still requesting that applications be submitted 30 days before settlement. Review the updated requirements here. The Suburban Realtors Alliance recommends applying as early as possible for use and occupancy inspections in municipalities where they’re required — with 30 days ahead of closing being a good rule of thumb — to avoid delays in the settlement process.

Silverdale Borough posts community survey results
Silverdale Borough has posted the results of a recent community survey. There was a 61% response rate, and the survey covered a variety of topics, including shops and restaurants, parks, development and more. Click here for the results.
Source: Silverdale Borough; 8/8/2021

New borough manager in Morrisville
Morrisville Borough Council voted unanimously to appoint Judith Danko as borough manager. Danko was most recently a community development director for Kutztown Borough, and has also served as borough manager in Slatington, Freemansburg and Bath boroughs. She replaces Scott Mitchell, who passed away earlier this year. Danko begins her new duties in August.
Source: BucksLocalNews.com; 7/20/2021

Bucks County seeks more responses for business survey
Bucks County is seeking input from businesses through an online survey to decide how to use the $121 million in American Rescue Plan funds it is receiving from the federal government this year, as well as gauging infrastructure needs. The county also wants businesses to provide suggestions through the survey for Bucks 2040, the comprehensive plan being developed to outline growth strategies for the next 20 years. Of the 20,000 businesses in the county, only about 200 have responded to the survey so far.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 8/8/2021

Chesco businesses urged to take part in reopening survey
Chester County businesses, from small companies to Fortune 500s, are being urged to participate in a business reopening survey. The survey asks about companies’ current COVID policies, their staffing challenges and their post-pandemic plans. “The sooner we receive responses to this survey, the sooner we can share the data with Chester County businesses so they can benchmark what peers and competitors are doing,” said Michael Grigalonis, chief operating officer of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC). The confidential survey can be found on the CCEDC website. It centers around “return to work” practices including telework, vaccination policies, travel policies, facility usage and space planning. The survey closes on Friday, Aug. 13.
Source: Daily Local; 8/8/2021

Kennett Square names new borough manager
After a nearly year-long search, Kennett Square once again has a borough manager. Kyle Coleman, the former deputy village manager for the Village of Estero, Florida, was named borough manager, replacing Joe Scalise, who resigned in October 2020. Matt Fetick, Kennett Square mayor, said Coleman is the perfect fit to help the borough navigate challenges in the coming years. Coleman was selected from a pool of about 30 applicants from 12 states. Kennett Square officials used consulting firm Strategic Government Resources to conduct the search. Coleman served as the assistant to the city manager in Estero from 2016 until he was promoted to deputy village manager last year. He previously served as executive director for Greater Syracuse Project in New York and as the founder of the SAT Academy of Southwest Florida. Coleman will begin his job in Kennett Square on Sept. 16.
Source: Daily Local; 8/6/2021

New visitor center opens at Coatesville’s Iron and Steel Heritage Museum
A new visitor center at the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum showcases the history of industry in Coatesville. Over more than two centuries, Lukens Steel Company contributed to the World Trade Center, parts of many ships and even added to NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. Museum-goers typically start a tour with the displays at the office area, move on to the new visitor center and then check out the shuttered mill. Visitors will learn about the steel-production process, get a brief history, and learn about the people who contributed to the steel and iron industry in Coatesville. “It’s unbelievable what this town produced,” Scott Huston, president of the Graystone Society and executive director of the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust, said. The complex is located at 50 S. 1st Ave. in Coatesville. For more information, visit the Steel Museum website.
Source: Daily Local; 8/8/2021

Housing program for accessible home modifications gets state funding
State Rep. Dan Williams (D-74), of Sadsbury, announced $300,000 in Keystone Communities Program grant funding has been awarded to the Chester County Home Modification Program (CCHMP), which makes homes more accessible for low- to moderate-income residents with permanent disabilities. “For many of our residents with disabilities, their houses often feel like potential danger zones, as they haven’t been constructed with their unique needs in mind,” Williams said. “By providing for modifications that increase safety and mobility, this state money will help our residents truly feel safe and secure in their homes.” The CCHMP allows for a wide range of adaptive modifications, including ramps, lifts, door and hallway widening, kitchen and bathroom modifications, visual doorbells, audio phones, and visual phone signalers.
Source: Daily Local; 8/6/2021

Chesco seeks volunteers to help direct American Recovery Plan funds
With an allocation of nearly $102 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Chester County is finalizing its structure for prioritizing, requesting and reviewing proposals to effectively spend the money to rebuild communities affected by the pandemic. The county is seeking volunteers to serve on evaluation teams, initially over a period of six months. Each team will address one priority area: public health response (including behavioral health); areas of negative economic impact; disproportionately affected communities; premium pay for essential workers; infrastructure (water, sewer and broadband); and public sector revenue loss. Each team will include representatives from the county’s finance department, solicitor’s office and strategic planning team, who will facilitate the priority groups. Three county employee volunteers and four volunteers from the community will complete each team. The average commitment will be five to 10 hours per month. Anyone age 18 or over who lives or works in Chester County is invited to apply on the county website by Friday, Aug. 20.
Source: Daily Local; 7/29/2021

Chesco house to be featured on new HGTV show
A Chester County house is being featured on a new national TV show called “Cheap Old Houses,” which debuted Aug. 9. The Spring City home built in 1896 and purchased nearly five years ago by Paul and Veronica Semon for $150,000 will be spotlighted on HGTV in an episode that will air sometime later this month. The Semons purchased the house after it failed to sell at auction. Foregoing an inspection proved somewhat costly as the couple had to put money into the well system and add a new roof — but the house has since appraised for $450,000.
Source: Daily Local; 8/9/2021

Philadelphia Municipal Court halts evictions for some who have applied for rental assistance
Philadelphia Municipal Court issued an order that says city landlords won’t be able to lock tenants out of their homes if their pending rental assistance applications have been marked “complete.” More than 45,000 renters have applied for assistance, and the city continues to slog through applications. Some tenants have been waiting since the spring to find out whether they will receive rent relief. More than 25,000 applications are marked as completed, so those tenants are covered under the order, according to the city. More than 37% of applications are being marked incomplete, which requires applicants to resubmit documents for further review. See more in the full Inquirer article.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/9/2021

Philadelphia brings back mask mandate for businesses, requires vaccine for city workers
Philadelphia is bringing back its indoor mask mandate effective Aug. 12, requiring employees and customers at all businesses and institutions in the city to wear face coverings indoors. Businesses that require proof of vaccination to enter will not have to require masks. The city is also mandating all of its employees to be vaccinated by Sept. 1. Any city employees who choose not to get vaccinated will be required to double mask when they are in enclosed spaces with other people. The city will also require masking at unseated events with attendance of more than 1,000 people — including upcoming music festivals like Made in America. The expected changes come as the city faces a surge in new cases of the coronavirus. The mask mandate is only a first step in bringing down the surge, said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. The city is watching vaccination rates, case numbers, hospitalizations and percent positivity when it makes its decisions on business restrictions, she said, and those numbers will factor into its decision on lifting the mask mandate.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 8/11/2021

Philly trees cast more shade on the wealthy
An Inquirer analysis shows that Philadelphia’s neighborhoods with the least tree canopy lie generally within economically stressed neighborhoods. Trees lessen the urban heat island effect, which can mean a temperature difference of 15 to 20 degrees between, say, Kensington and the much leafier Chestnut Hill neighborhood on a sweltering day. The city is facing its fifth heat wave of the season this week. Philadelphia’s response includes expanding the tree canopy to 30% in all neighborhoods. Though trees can also boost quality of life and property values, adding so many is a daunting task where thousands of rowhouses, businesses, narrow sidewalks, concrete and asphalt conspire against it. Those neighborhoods took shape as developers, employers and officials made decisions more than 100 years ago on who would ultimately get shade in coming decades, leaving a redlining legacy that is especially obvious on the hottest days. The city has hired Hinge Collective, a landscape architecture firm, to design a 10-year plan to reverse years of canopy decline. A draft should be available in the fall. Hinge has surveyed residents, sent tree ambassadors into neighborhoods and held community meetings, said Alexa Bosse, a landscape architect and principal at Hinge.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/11/2021

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