Webinar: What Realtors^® should know about Act 133 of 2016
The Suburban Realtors Alliance will host a webinar titled “What Realtors should know about Act 133 of 2016,” on Wednesday, July 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. Act 133, or the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act, is a state law that requires municipalities to issue use and occupancy certificates after resale inspections — but municipalities do not always know about or follow the law. Jamie Ridge, president of the SRA, and Hank Lerner, general counsel at the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, will review the basics of Act 133 and how it benefits Realtors and their clients, followed by a round of audience Q+A. The webinar will help Realtors recognize when a town, borough or city is violating the law, and how to respond when that happens. The webinar is free and open to Realtors. For more information and to register, click here.

The hidden win at the Supreme Court
In response to the pandemic health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order in September 2020 banning all evictions nationwide. The CDC extended the moratorium several times, most recently through July 31. With the backing of the National Association of Realtors^® (NAR), the Georgia and Alabama associations of Realtors sued in federal court, claiming the CDC lacked statutory authority to ban all evictions. In May, a federal judge struck down the ban as unlawful nationwide. Although the Realtor associations won the case, the judge issued a stay of her ruling pending an appeal by the government. With so many Realtors and housing providers suffering under a financial strain, NAR appealed immediately to the D.C. Circuit Court and then the Supreme Court to lift the stay. On June 30, four Supreme Court justices, a minority, voted to end the stay immediately and lift the eviction ban. They agreed with the merits of the Realtors’ case — that the CDC acted unlawfully. A fifth justice also agreed on the merits, but he wanted the ban in place through the end of July to allow more time for an orderly transition. Although the ban is here for a few more weeks, it is still a big win for property rights and NAR. NAR’s advocacy team fought for and helped secure billions of dollars in rental assistance by reaching almost every member of Congress on the issue and holding meetings with the White House. NAR has a comprehensive resource page for housing providers looking for rental assistance. The Alliance has a page with information on local rental assistance programs.
Source: National Association of Realtors; 7/2/2021

Parents must decide by July 15 whether children should repeat grade
A new state law empowers parents to decide whether their children should advance to the next grade level or be held back a year due to learning disruptions created during COVID-19, according to state Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24). Parents who wish to pursue the additional optional year of education for their children must complete and return a standardized form to their school district no later than Thursday, July 15. The deadline allows school districts enough time to plan for changes in class sizes for the upcoming school year. The form is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, along with frequently asked questions about the new law empowering parents to make the decision, Act 66 of 2021. The option would only apply to the 2021-2022 school year to help manage learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Main Line Life; 7/6/2021

Sunshine Act amendment requires online agendas at least 24 hours before meetings
Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed Senate Bill 554, which amends the Sunshine Act, or “Open Meetings Law,” to require state government agencies, local municipalities and school districts to post an agenda online no later than 24 hours before the start of a public meeting. “The opportunity to review an agenda before a public meeting is a positive step toward increasing government accountability and citizen participation,” said Liz Wagenseller, Office of Open Records (OOR) executive director. Under the Right-to-Know law, the OOR is required to offer training on the Sunshine Act. The OOR will conduct a webinar on the Sunshine Act, including the newly enacted S.B. 554, on Wednesday, July 14, at 10 a.m. The webinar is free and can be accessed via the OOR event calendar.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 7/1/2021

Black Homeownership Collaborative announces new initiative
The Black Homeownership Collaborative, a new coalition of more than 100 organizations and individuals, launched the “3by30 Initiative” to create three million net new Black homeowners by 2030. The collaborative identified seven areas requiring attention: homeownership counseling; down payment assistance; housing production; credit and lending; civil and consumer rights; homeownership sustainability; and marketing and outreach. The group is calling for increased funding for housing counseling services, a targeted down payment assistance program, and restoration of all legal doctrines and provisions of law that address systemic discriminatory policies. The collaborative is led by a steering committee of executives from the Mortgage Bankers Association, NAACP, National Association of Realtors^®, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Housing Conference, National Urban League and Urban Institute.
Source: National Association of Real Estate Brokers; 6/18/2021

Proposed Bedminster ordinance would penalize owners for disruptive tenants
Bedminster Township supervisors will consider for adoption a proposed ordinance regulating the owners and occupants of rental properties with unruly tenants. Under the proposed ordinance, owners of rental properties whose occupants cause disruptive conduct could be subject to the revocation of rental licenses. The draft ordinance provides for an appeal process for such revocations, provides definitions of terms and lays out enforcement and penalties. The board of supervisors will consider the ordinance at a hearing on Wednesday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the township building at 3112 Bedminster Road. The Alliance has requested a copy of the proposed ordinance.
Source: The Intelligencer; 7/7/2021

County to use grant funds to address homelessness
Bucks County will use state homelessness-prevention funds to help families and individuals find and keep stable housing, including outreach to people who are living unsheltered. Bucks County Director of Housing and Community Development Jeffrey Fields said the money — which comes via the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund (PHARE) — will cover gaps in funding for homeless services, such as street outreach. The funding will also be used for enhanced case management at the emergency center in Levittown, emergency hoteling and to augment the rapid rehousing program. Anyone who is facing any housing issue, including eviction or homelessness, is asked to call the Bucks County Housing Link at 800-810-4434.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 7/1/2021

Bucks will add ballot drop boxes for general election
The Bucks County Board of Elections recently voted to purchase seven new ballot drop boxes for the general election on Nov. 2. The new boxes will increase the total number of ballot drop boxes in the county to 11. The board also voted to require that each box be under video surveillance and have a security guard or election worker present during hours the boxes are available. More than 54,000 voters in Bucks County requested a mail ballot in the municipal primary. Of that number, over 37,000 mail ballots were returned in time for the primary, which helped boost the overall voter turnout to about 25.5%, the highest for a municipal primary since at least 2003.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 7/1/2021

Error in 2021-2022 Council Rock occupation tax bills
Council Rock School District recently became aware of an error on the 2021-2022 occupation tax bills that were recently mailed to residents in the district. The bill printing company used the incorrect tax rate. It was not an error made by the tax collectors or the school district. The printing company has agreed to send a revised occupation tax bill to residents, and the tax collectors will return any incorrect payments.  It is recommended payment not be remitted until a revised bill is received. For more information, visit the district’s business office website or call the district tax office at 215-944-1090. Real estate tax bills were not affected, and may be paid now.
Source: Northampton Township & Council Rock School District; 7/2021

Doylestown to sell former Borough Hall building
Doylestown Borough will move into new offices on North Broad Street in the fall. The borough recently announced it is planning to sell the historic building that has housed its administration and police department for decades. Originally a church, the building at 57 W. Court St. has about 50 parking spaces and is located in the borough’s central commercial district, which includes office, retail, restaurant and other uses. The borough anticipates advertising for bids in August. The building was appraised in 2018 for $2.1 million. Proceeds from the sale will go toward the $10 million cost of building a new borough hall.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 7/1/2021

Kennett Square offers Genesis $8.2M for historic property to house municipal, police offices
Kennett Square Borough Council voted unanimously to purchase from Genesis its property on Broad Street near Kennett High School for a new municipal building and police station for $8.2 million. If approved, Kennett Square also plans to lease some of the space to other government agencies. “Genesis is just consolidating all of its employees into their two main facilities in the center of town,” Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick said. “It is very important to us that Genesis keep their headquarters located in Kennett Square.” The mayor said that, since the pandemic, many of the company’s employees are now working from home, hence the desire for property consolidation. Fetick noted that the sale is pending, “and we hope to have a ratified contract here in the next couple of days.”
Source: Southern Chester County Weeklies; 7/2/2021

United Way to hold outreach events for mobile home tax program
United Way of Chester County, along with its partners, will hold outdoor events throughout the month of July to promote its Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Program. The events will be held in multiple locations: at Oxford Library from Tuesday, July 13, to Thursday, July 15; at Honey Brook Food Pantry on Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17; and at the Mockingbird Mobile Home Park in West Chester on Monday, July 19, and Tuesday, July 20. Mobile homes tend to be overtaxed because they are assessed as homes, which tend to gain value over time, but they depreciate like vehicles. Counties can’t legally go into mobile-home parks to reassess those properties without reassessing all other properties, too. The Mobile Home Tax Reassessment program offers assistance to mobile home owners to file property tax reassessment appeals. “Our goal of completing 500 successful appeals this year is ambitious, but we are determined to help as many of those in need as we can,” said Christopher Saello, President and CEO of United Way of Chester County. Residents interested in 2021 reassessments can call United Way at 610-429-9400 to make an appointment, or visit the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment website and fill out the 2021 Reassessment Form. The deadline to apply for the program is Tuesday, July 20.
Source: Daily Local; 7/6/2021

Neighborhood University is back in West Chester area
Neighborhood University of Greater West Chester is a program offered by the West Chester Area Council of Governments to educate citizens about local government and increase awareness of available municipal services and resources. The goal is to help citizens become more effective advocates for their communities, which in turn helps local municipalities find ways to improve. Topics range from planning and zoning to public finance and taxation. Registration and program information are available on the Council of Governments website. All classes are held on Thursdays from Sept. 23 to Nov. 18 and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There is a $10 fee to participate.
Source: WCACOG; 7/2021

Tredyffrin updates comprehensive plan
Tredyffrin Township has updated its comprehensive plan. Developed by a task force that consisted of township supervisors, members of the planning commission and residents, the Final Tredyffrin Comprehensive Plan 2021 focuses on the most pressing challenges and opportunities for the township. The plan defines a vision for the future and provides a framework to achieve that vision, while supporting officials and staff as they work in a coordinated and cohesive manner.
Source: Tredyffrin Township; 7/2021

Philly courts extend eviction protections again
Philadelphia landlords who want to evict tenants must first go through the city’s eviction diversion program and apply for rental assistance by Aug. 31, according to an order issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The order extended a previous mandate that was set to expire at the end of July. The Philadelphia Municipal Court on April 1 began requiring landlords seeking to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent to enter Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion Program, seek rental assistance and wait 45 days before filing in court. Patrick Dugan, the municipal court’s judge, requested that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court grant the extension. “It is anticipated that the Court will be overwhelmed with filing of eviction cases based on non-payment of rent and that the continuation of the Philadelphia Municipal Court Diversion Program will enable the Court to manage the backlog of evictions,” Dugan wrote in his request. A Philadelphia court order to ban lockouts expired Wednesday, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationwide ban remains in effect through the end of July. There are about 2,000 pending eviction cases in the city that could move forward after the moratorium is lifted. Read more here.
Source: Plan Philly; 7/1/2021

35,000 Philly residents have applied for rent relief as spending deadlines loom
The City of Philadelphia is racing against the clock to disperse state and federal money for its fourth phase of rental assistance before the deadlines. Philadelphia has to use 65% of nearly $57 million — equaling about $37 million — of federal funds coming through the state by the end of the month or else the money has to be returned. As of Friday, the city had spent $34 million, three months into the program’s opening. Funds only began reaching applicants’ households a few weeks ago. Greg Heller, senior vice president at Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, said he’s confident the city will reach that benchmark since it is on track to disperse about $6 million to $7 million dollars per week. Both landlords and housing advocates agree that the latest phase is running more smoothly than three previous iterations, yet room for improvement remains. Philadelphia housing officials have reviewed about one-third of the more than 35,000 total applications for the latest phase of relief and approved 16%. The ideal timeline for the process is 45 days, according to a city spokesperson. It tends to take longer because only about 38% of submitted applications are complete, and it takes time to gather all the needed information. Read more here.
Source: Plan Philly; 7/3/2021

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