News Briefs Archive September 5, 2022
General News
Student debt affects homeownership
The Biden administration officially announced the cancelation of $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers who make less than $125,000 a year, or $250,000 for married couples, as well as forgiving $20,000 for those who attended college with a Pell Grant. The change is estimated to aid 43 million Americans and fully relieve the debt of 20 million borrowers. The White House also announced another suspension of student loan debt interest payments through the end of the year. The Trump administration halted loan interest payments in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and President Biden has continued the suspension, but the White House has underscored that the recent suspension is the final one. Both policy changes apply only to federal student loans and not private student loans. Additionally, the administration announced changes to payment caps based on income. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will ensure that mortgage underwriting guidelines related to student loan debt are standardized and do not impair homeownership. NAR's research shows that student loan debt is one of the biggest barriers to overcome when purchasing a home, and that 51% of all borrowers have put off purchasing a home due to student loan debt. Read more about the recent student debt developments and NAR’s positions here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 8/26/2022
NAR offers resources on affordable rental housing
Rental housing issues are a hot topic among policymakers, due to pandemic-driven eviction moratoria and rent freezes, along with a housing supply shortage for prospective buyers and a dramatic increase in inflation. The National Association of Realtors’ provides extensive information on renters’ issues, including research papers, advocacy work, and resources for state and local associations here. Read a one-page summary on the topic here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 8/19/2022
Bucks County
New Hope passes short-term rental ordinance
New Hope Borough Council unanimously passed a short-term rental ordinance that requires property owners to obtain a short-term rental permit. The permit application includes proof of insurance, sewer/septic paperwork, parking spaces and other standard information. Short-term rentals will need to be inspected and will have an occupancy limit of 10 people, with non-overnight guests limited to 75% of maximum occupancy. Properties will have a limited number of bedrooms, and owners will be responsible for the behavior of their renters. Several property owners spoke out against the ordinance, with most stating that responsible short-term rental operators are being punished for other short-term properties that cause repeat disturbances and neighbor complaints. Council members stood fast with their goal to have more buildings in the residential districts remain as residences and not hospitality businesses.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/25/2022
Bonus for Bucks Landlords program is now permanent
Bucks County’s Bonus for Bucks Landlords program provides cash rewards to landlords — and Realtors who refer them — who lease to low-income renters. The program, which launched in 2021 and had been set to expire in 2022, has now been made permanent. Landlords who are new to the Housing Link program can receive a bonus equal to one month’s rent when they lease to a program participant. Landlords and Realtors who refer a landlord to the Housing Link can receive a $2,000 finder’s fee if that landlord ends up participating. Aside from the cash bonus, landlords involved in the program receive reliable rent, continuity coverage payments between leases, the ability to collect additional referral bonuses, and support from the Housing Link staff. For more information on the program, visit the Bonus for Bucks Landlords website and read answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Bonus for Bucks Landlords is a joint effort between the Bucks County Housing Link Partners, the Bucks County Association of Realtors and the Suburban Realtors Alliance.
Source: Bucks County Housing Link
Yardley Borough Council posts vacancy
Yardley Borough Councilmember David Bria resigned from his post at the Aug. 16 meeting. Bria, a Democrat first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021, said he is moving out of the borough. Bria had previously served as council president for two years, but stepped away from the role in April because of increasing personal and professional responsibilities. Council members will likely appoint a replacement in the next month, and are scheduled to publicly interview applicants at the Tuesday, Sept. 6, meeting. Borough residents interested in filling the vacancy can email Borough Manager Paula Johnson at pjohnson@yardleyboro.com. Bria’s appointed replacement would serve through 2023 but would have to run and win in that year’s municipal election to retain the seat beyond 2023.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/25/2022
Resident circulates petition to reduce the size of Yardley Borough Council
Yardley Borough resident Earl Markey plans to file a petition with Bucks County that aims to reduce the size of the borough council from seven to five members. The petition contains 151 signatures, the required 5% of all registered voters in Yardley Borough. A county court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8, when the court will decide whether to certify the question of council size and place it on the Nov. 8 ballot as a referendum. Residents behind the petition feel that there have been too many council member resignations in recent years, which has led to too many appointed council members that have not been elected by borough voters. The most recent resignation came at the Aug. 16 council meeting when David Bria announced he is stepping down after more than four years of service on the borough’s governing body.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/25/2022
Bucks commissioners receive response to sale questions from BCWSA
On Aug. 26, Bucks County commissioners received a response from the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) to their Aug. 15 letter seeking information about the proposed sale of the authority’s sewer operations. As promised, the commissioners are now making that response from the BCWSA available to the public. Click here to read the BCWSA response to the commissioners.
Source: Bucks County; 8/29/2022
Holy Family University adding a second campus in Newtown Township
Philadelphia-based Holy Family University announced it will add another campus in Newtown Township. The new Newtown West Campus will be located at 33 University Drive, less than two miles from the existing Newtown East Campus at 1 Campus Drive. The campus is being added to accommodate additional students at the existing Newtown Township campus and the university's Northeast Philadelphia location. The Philadelphia location, the university said, is at capacity. Holy Family University has about 3,100 students between its two campuses.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 8/19/2022
Chester County
Kennett Township weighs demolition, preservation of Spar Hill Farm structures
The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors and the township’s historical commission recently considered the future of Spar Hill Farm, including a proposal that would remove 13 buildings, barns, silos and sheds from the 103-acre, township-owned property. Historical Commission Chairperson Karen Marshall referred to a report from Matthew Roberson, president of West Chester-based Restoration Carpentry, that said the following structures were deemed “not worthy of preservation:” a carriage house, a barn, four sheds, a concrete silo, a loafing barn, a turkey slaughterhouse, two tenant houses, a wood fence and a garage. The demolition cost is estimated to be about $335,500. Roberson and Marshall recommended several structures be stabilized or retained “as is:” a smoke house, the main residence, a metal silo, a silo base, a stone wall, three small sheds, a pony barn, a metal fence, a spring house, a wood bridge and concrete livestock ramps. The cost for keeping those structures is estimated at about $142,600. The estimated cost of site cleanup is just over $18,000. In total, the estimated cost of stabilization and demolition at Spar Hill Farm is about $478,200. From the time the township purchased Spar Hill Farm in 2018 for $3.2 million — $1 million of which was covered by a grant from Mount Cuba Center — there has been wide speculation about the township’s plans for it. The Commission has received suggestions from residents that include establishing an agricultural museum, a shelter for farm animals and an educational center for developing interpretive trails. Township Manager Eden Ratliff said the supervisors will vote to take action on the recommended stabilization and demolition project as early as September. Read a history of the farm here.
Source: Chester County Press; 8/23/2022
New Garden provides township budget, other data on new website
The New Garden Township Finance Department recently partnered with a Massachusetts-based web developer to design a new Digital Budget Book that presents the township’s entire financial picture through the use of multi-colored charts and data. The budget tool — available through a link on the township website — provides an introduction to the township, its demographics, township policies, a complete budget overview, summaries of capital improvements and large-scale projects, and a breakdown of all departments and their reporting structure.
Source: Chester County Press; 8/9/2022
White House official visits Coatesville to tout infrastructure investments
White House infrastructure coordinator and senior advisor to the president Mitch Landrieu visited the Coatesville Amtrak Station on Aug. 24 to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration is delivering critical infrastructure investments to Pennsylvanians. The visit was touted as a testament to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its objectives of rebuilding American infrastructure, improving roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes to provide clean water, expanding access to affordable, high-speed internet, fixing supply chains to lower costs, and creating good-paying union jobs that don’t require a college degree. Other priorities funded by the law include addressing the aging infrastructure of Philadelphia International Airport, replacing and repairing over 7,540 miles of highway and 3,353 bridges in poor condition in Pennsylvania, and providing eligible families $30 per month off their internet bills through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Source: Daily Times; 8/24/2022
Chester County leaders gather to discuss housing problems
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, in partnership with several nonprofit community organizations, hosted a gathering to review ideas and opinions expressed during recent housing focus groups and to explore ways legislators and community groups can work together to ensure affordable housing is accessible for all residents. The legislative gathering was attended by the county’s legislative delegation, county officials, legislative staff and nonprofit representatives. The six focus group sessions were hosted by local nonprofits, and a total of 61 people shared their testimonies and experiences regarding housing in Chester County.
Source: Unionville Times; 8/30/2022
Delaware County
Delco is winding down ERAP program, but there’s still time to apply
Delaware County Council announced that it is approaching 100% funding of more than $78.3 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds to help residents stay in their homes as they continue to suffer setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic. The county is on track to allocate 11,500 grants to low-income renters experiencing housing instability across the county since 2021, according to a release from county spokesperson Adrienne Marofsky. The program is expected to wind down at the end of September based on the current rate of applications. The application window closes on Monday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. Delaware County is exploring options for possible additional funding. The program launched in April 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and sent out 100% of its initial $37.2 million allocation for “Delco ERA 1” by October. The county received another $30 million for ERA 2 from the state and U.S. Treasury, plus an additional $10.7 million throughout the first half of 2022 that had been reallocated from other counties that were not seeing the same success rate. Delaware County solicitor Bill Martin said in June that the program was still very active, with 43 new requests and about 250 calls per day. Delaware County residents can contact the emergency rental assistance program by phone at 484-729-4200 or by email at info@delco-era.com until the cutoff date.
Source: Daily Times; 8/30/2022
Chester receiver sues over proposed sale
Chester City Receiver Michael T. Doweary has filed suit against the Delaware County Regional Water Control Authority (DELCORA), seeking a declaratory judgment that ownership of the city’s sewer system would revert back to Chester in the event of a sale to a third party unless DELCORA properly compensates the city for the assets. The complaint filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court also seeks a determination that Chester is entitled to additional compensation in the event of a sale under an easement agreement with the authority. “The purpose of the complaint is to ensure the City of Chester’s rights are protected in the event that DELCORA is sold or ceases to provide the services it is currently providing,” said Doweary’s chief of staff, Vijay Kapoor. “We’re asking for the ability, in the event that it’s sold, that adequate compensation is provided to the city or that the assets revert [back to Chester].” DELCORA, which treats wastewater for approximately 500,000 customers in 42 municipalities in Delaware and Chester counties, entered into a $276.5 million asset purchase agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater in September 2019. The sale was expected to help Chester Receiver Michael T. Doweary push back looming costs for customers over the next decade through a “rate stabilization plan.” Aqua is currently awaiting a determination from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on that proposed sale. DELCORA meanwhile raised rates 12.5% this year, about a $50 average increase for customers, which it blamed on the delay in finalizing the sale. The DELCORA issue is separate from the proposed sale of the Chester Water Authority, which is still in litigation.
Source: Daily Times; 8/25/2022
Judge: Upper Darby council violated Sunshine Act in ousting Rongione
Upper Darby Township Council’s lawsuit for a judicial ruling confirming the removal of township chief administrative officer Vincent Rongione has been dismissed. Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Spiros Angelos ordered that the council’s petition for declaratory judgment be dismissed on the grounds that its June 1 vote to “forfeit” Rongione’s office violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The Sunshine Act requires that the public be given notice of any “official action” before it is undertaken. Rongione was appointed by Mayor Barbarann Keffer, and his appointment required council agreement at the start of her administration. Council members had posted on the evening agenda that they would be discussing the home rule charter but did not go into detail regarding a potential vote to remove the township’s top administrator. The court decision did not address potential convictions or penalties and only addressed the narrow question of the validity of the vote. Any government officials who participate in a meeting with the intent and purpose to violate the Sunshine Act can be convicted of a summary offense subject to penalties of up to $1,000. Council Vice President Laura Wentz said the six council members have submitted a request for the court to reconsider the ruling.
Source: Daily Times; 8/31/2022
Delco council members talk up planned Upper Chi Library building
Delaware County Council members Christine Reuther and Elaine Schaefer visited Upper Chichester — located in a tiny strip mall space in the Willowbrook Shopping Center — to talk up the benefits of the planned new township library. Township Commissioner Nicole Whitaker noted that the new library will be the cultural hub of a walkable Chichester Road development that includes millions of dollars in government- funded streetscaping, lighting and other community amenities and improvements. Whitaker is also vice president of the library’s board of trustees and works as Darby Township’s manager. Representatives from Tom Dever Architects explained how the new space will remove barriers faced by the library’s roughly 20,000 users, improving accessibility and ensuring that children and adults need not be turned away from library programs, as they often are now, due to lack of space and equipment. In the spring, the library was awarded a $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program challenge grant from the state. Including that $2 million, the library has raised a total of $3.02 million toward its $4 million goal. Library Board President Dawn Daniels said the library must raise the remaining money by Nov. 14 to meet the grant challenge and fulfill the terms of the grant. Daniels asked the assembled individuals and corporate and government leaders to help achieve the fundraising goal and “provide the Upper Chichester community with the kind of Library and Resource Center it needs and deserves.” For more information on the proposed new library, visit the Upper Chichester Library website.
Source: Daily Times; 8/31/2022
Improvements to Lawrence Park Shopping Center in Broomall underway
Federal Realty Investment Trust continues its work to redevelop Lawrence Park Shopping Center in Marple Township to make it a more walkable, mixed-use community. The 374,000-square-foot center sits on 29 acres off Sproul Road in Broomall. Federal Realty is spending $8 million on the addition of a pergola to expand an outdoor dining area to three seasons, as well as designing a park-like environment that will include a garden stroll and fireplace that encourages people to gather. Federal also completed the renovation of 95,000 square feet occupied by Main Line Health that included façade and other improvements. Earlier estimates made by Federal had the total new investment at Lawrence Park at around $24 million, which includes upgrades to the center and Main Line Health space. Work on Lawrence Park is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 7/5/2022
Montgomery County
Narberth considering an earned income tax
Narberth Borough officials have begun discussing a plan to collect a 1% earned income tax. Borough Manager Samantha Bryant said the main reason for the proposal is to create an “equitable tax base in the borough.” Bryant told council that slightly more than 70% of the borough’s 2022 general fund revenue came from property taxes and that reliance on property tax causes an inequitable distribution of the tax burden. According to information provided in Bryant’s letter to the council, anyone with income under $12,000 or income that comes from Social Security, a pension or disability would not be assessed the EIT. Anyone who works in the City of Philadelphia would not pay a new tax to the borough. Instead, they would continue to pay the higher City Wage Tax. Narberth residents who work in any other municipality that already has an EIT would still pay it, but instead of the money going to the community where they work, it would come back to Narberth. Anyone living or working in Narberth and earning over $12,000 working in a community without an EIT would then pay what would be the new tax to Narberth. Narberth is one of three Montgomery County municipalities that have not enacted an EIT, the others are Upper Merion and Lower Merion. It is estimated that a 1% EIT would generate $675,000 to $700,000 in 2023. Borough Council President Fred Bush called the EIT an attractive option since many Narberth residents already pay the tax if they work in other municipalities.
Source: Main Line Times; 8/26/2022
Redevelopment underway at two Montco shopping centers
Federal Realty Investment Trust continues to work on securing approvals for its plans to redevelop Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center into a more walkable, mixed-use community and is making progress to undertake a similar strategy at Willow Grove Shopping Center. The broader plan for Federal's three Philadelphia-area shopping centers calls for additional residential components and more dining that expands outdoor seating. The effort, which aims to create more of a community rather than just a shopping destination, has successfully been rolled out at some of Federal’s other centers. Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center was built in 1957 and totals 294,000 square feet on 24 acres. Federal bought it in 1998. Federal’s plans, which the company began to pursue last year, involve developing 200 additional apartment units along with 15,000 to 20,000 square feet of retail space in place of a shuttered 120,000-square-foot Lord & Taylor. The center is in a dense, high-traffic environment off City Avenue. While the center sits in Lower Merion, it's across the road from Philadelphia and just off the Schuylkill Expressway. As a result, plans include improving the pedestrian experience and enhancing placemaking. Federal could begin work at the Bala center beginning in the summer of 2023. The company is also going through the approval process in Upper Moreland for its Willow Grove Shopping Center, where it wants to develop about 200 new apartment units accompanied by ground-floor retail. The 211,000-square-foot center sits on 13 acres at 112 Park Ave., just off of Route 611 and not far from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 7/5/2022
Montco Planning Commission offers ‘The Course in Zoning’
Registration is open for The Course in Zoning, which is offered by the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Classes will be held on Thursdays, Sept. 8, 22 and 29, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lansdale Borough Hall, 1 Vine St. The three-session course emphasizes the fundamentals of developing a sound zoning ordinance using the authority granted in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Course topics include the relationship of zoning to comprehensive plans, key terms used in zoning and how they are applied, critical issues in drafting a zoning ordinance and map, procedures for adopting and amending ordinances, and basic zoning administration. The course also explores techniques such as overlay districts, performance zoning, traditional neighborhood development and planned residential development, as well as the options available through regional planning. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in mapping exercises, reviews of ordinance provisions, and discussions of problem situations.
Source: Montgomery County; 8/2022
Lower Pottsgrove to consider ordinance to recover emergency costs and expenses
The Lower Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners intends to adopt a draft ordinance recognizing the right and authority of the township to recover costs and expenses related to fire, rescue and other emergencies. The proposed ordinance is available for inspection at the township office during normal business hours. The hearing and potential adoption vote will be held during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Lower Pottsgrove Township Building, 2199 Buchert Road, Pottstown.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 8/22/2022
Philadelphia has finally started mailing out assessments
After months of uncertainty, Philadelphia has finally begun mailing new property assessments to thousands of homeowners. Residents will also receive the forms needed to dispute the valuations. The figures, which dictate individual property taxes, will likely cause some sticker shock. After a three-year pause in assessments, residential property values increased by an average of 31%. Nearly a quarter of all single-family homes in the city saw assessed values shoot up more than 50%, according to a review conducted by the City Controller’s Office. “Some people are seeing their tax bills double or triple,” said Kate Dugan, a staff attorney in the homeownership unit at the nonprofit Community Legal Services. The Office of Property Assessment (OPA) posted the new values online in May, but it was unclear exactly when homeowners, some without a personal computer or internet access, would receive official notices in the mail. So far, the city has mailed assessment notices to nearly 200,000 property owners, mostly for commercial properties. Property owners who want to dispute their new assessments can pursue either or both of two options. Neither require an attorney. Option 1: Residents can informally appeal their new property value by requesting that OPA conduct what’s known as a “first level review.” The form to get assessors to take a second look is included with the assessment notices. Option 2: Property owners can file a formal appeal of their new assessment with the city’s Board of Revision of Taxes. The deadline, set by the state, is Monday, Oct. 3. Officials expect up to 20% of property owners will appeal their new assessments.
Source: PlanPhilly; 8/30/2022
City programs available to offset financial strain of new property assessments
Philadelphia has programs in place to offset the financial impact of property assessments on property owners. Under the budget deal reached in June between city council and Mayor Jim Kenney, residents can apply to have $80,000 deducted from their property value as a homestead exemption, which could lower their property tax bill by about $1,119 each year. The exemption was previously $45,000. Additionally, a pair of new city laws changed the eligibility requirements for the Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP) and the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze program. LOOP is designed to protect low-to-moderate income homeowners from being displaced in swiftly gentrifying neighborhoods. Under the new measure, the value of the homestead exemption is no longer part of the equation for determining eligibility. Homeowners can now have their property value capped as long as their assessment went up by at least 50% in one tax year. The revamped program also enables homeowners to participate if their property value increased by at least 75% over the course of five tax years. A separate bill allows homeowners to retroactively enroll in the senior freeze program, which is generally for residents who are 65 and older. Read more here.
Source: PlanPhilly; 8/30/2022
Philadelphians push for Roosevelt Boulevard subway project revival
Philadelphians met for a town hall recently to discuss the Roosevelt Boulevard subway — a proposed project that would connect far Northeast Philadelphia to Center City, and beyond. The idea isn’t new. A Roosevelt Boulevard line was first proposed in 1913 and had false starts throughout the century. But based on the packed event for residents to discuss the possibility of the subway line, there’s renewed energy for bringing it to life. Supporters cited positive environmental impacts, economic development along the line, access to more jobs and easier connection to the rest of Philadelphia. Next steps for the project would include applying for grants and looking for the right people to conduct the feasibility study. From a 2003 study, the projected cost of the Northeast subway would be between $2.5 to $3.5 billion and it could be built within 10 years. There isn’t a final map for the project, but according to previously created maps, it would start at a northern Broad Street Line stop, then travel northeast along Roosevelt Boulevard, until right before the Bucks County border.
Source: PlanPhilly; 8/27/2022
Nine city agencies with unclear names — and what they can do for you
Philadelphia’s city government can be a maze to navigate for both new and longtime residents. A few departments have pretty clear functions: Parks and Recreation manages the city’s public parks, outdoor pools and 150-plus recreation centers. The Office of Property Assessment assesses property values, and the Office of Emergency Management manages emergencies. But Philly has more than 100 offices, boards, bureaus and commissions — and not all the department titles give such strong hints. Some are vague. Others feel interchangeable but definitely aren’t. Billy Penn breaks down what nine of them do and how best to contact them: the Department of Human Services, Office of the City Commissions, Office of the City Controller, Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Procurement Office, Office of Administrative Review, Board of Revision of Taxes, and Bureau of Administrative Adjudication. Read more here.
Source: Billy Penn; 8/30/2022
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