Court halts HUD's fair housing cuts
Judge Richard G. Stearns of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts granted a temporary injunction stopping the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) termination of dozens of Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants. Fair housing groups had filed suit against HUD and DOGE after they terminated 78 HUD fair housing grants for organizations operating in 33 states. FHIP grants, which are authorized by Congress and receive annual appropriations, have been provided for decades to fund local community efforts to educate the public about housing discrimination and investigate fair housing complaints. On Feb. 27, affected organizations received a letter stating that the funding "no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities." The court ordered HUD to immediately restore the funding and temporarily enjoined HUD from terminating any FHIP grants except to the extent authorized by statute, regulation and the court.
Source: NAR; 3/26/2025

Federal judge blocks dismantling of CFPB
A federal judge agreed to block the Trump administration from dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an agency that was targeted for mass firings before the court’s intervention. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson agreed to issue a preliminary injunction that maintains the agency’s existence until she rules on the merits of a lawsuit seeking to preserve the agency. The judge said the court “can and must act” to save the agency from being shuttered. CFPB is responsible for protecting consumers from financial fraud and deceptive practices. Congress created the bureau after the 2008 financial crisis. It processes consumer complaints and examines banks to protect student loan borrowers.
Source: Daily Local; 3/28/2025

FHFA’s recent directive on special purpose credit programs
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte released a directive eliminating the government-sponsored enterprises’ (GSEs) participation in Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs). SPCPs are targeted lending products designed to specifically advantage groups historically denied credit due to discrimination, such as through downpayment assistance, closing-cost assistance and rate buydowns. Pulte’s announcement puts an end to SPCPs that would be available for purchase at the GSEs, but lenders can still offer SPCPs on their own and fund them through their own portfolios. However, the recent action by FHFA significantly dries up capital available for them. Read more here.
Source: NAR; 3/28/2025

How hedge funds destroyed local news: Pottstown hosts film screening
A documentary film detailing the insidious role of hedge funds in undermining local journalism around the country will be screened as part of a special event in Pottstown next week. "Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink" investigates the workings of Alden Global Capital, owner of news conglomerates Digital First Media and MediaNews Group, which includes hundreds of newspapers ranging from the Chicago Tribune and New York Daily News to the Pottstown Mercury. As highlighted in the film, the Mercury saw its budget and staffing slashed repeatedly. Locally, Alden also owns the Daily Local News in West Chester, The Reporter in Lansdale, The Reading Eagle, The Times Herald in Norristown, and The Delaware County Times. A free screening of the film will be shown at The Hill School's Center for the Arts in Pottstown on Tuesday, April 8, beginning at 6 p.m. It will be followed by a panel discussion with director Rick Goldsmith, Mercury reporter Evan Brandt, former Mercury sports editor Austin Hertzog, and executive director of the News Guild of Greater Philadelphia Bill Ross.
Source: Pottstown Patch; 4/1/2025

Bill would tax political ads in PA
State Rep. Robert Matzie (D-16), of Beaver County, has proposed a bill that would require all political advertising in Pennsylvania to be subject to sales tax. The “End the Free Ride for Annoying Political Ads” Act would subject all political advertising on TV, radio, cable, print and social media to Pennsylvania state sales tax. According to Matzie, $1.2 billion was spent on political ads in Pennsylvania during 2024 — more than 10% of the ads bought in the country — with out-of-state political action committees not paying sales tax on political ads.
Source: ABC27; 4/1/2025 

Warminster authority updates new sewer inspection requirement to comply with state law
As of March 10, the Warminster Municipal Authority (WMA) is requiring point-of-sale sewer lateral inspections for property transfers. When the requirement was first enacted, WMA documents stated that, in the event of a failed inspection, repairs needed to be made prior to sale — but that language did not comply with state law, and it has since been changed. Suburban Realtors Alliance contacted WMA staff to inform them that Pennsylvania’s Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (MCOCA) requires at least 12 months for repairs. Per MCOCA, once the necessary inspection has been completed, applicants must receive a clear use and occupancy (U&O) permit, a temporary U&O permit, or a temporary access permit. The authority has updated its documentation to say that, if a lateral fails the initial inspection, the township will issue a temporary use and occupancy permit to allow the property to close. Read more on the Suburban Realtors Alliance blog. For more information about WMA's new sewer lateral inspection, visit the authority's website.

Toll Brothers plans 44 townhomes in New Britain
Developer Toll Brothers has finalized the purchase of an 8.6-acre property in New Britain Township near the intersection of West Butler Avenue and County Line Road. The homebuilder paid $2.5 million for the land next to a Wawa at 525 W. Butler Ave., facing the New Britain Village Square. The sale closed recently, but the plans for the development have been in the works for several years. The sale was agreed upon in September 2021, according to documents submitted to New Britain Township for a May 2023 supervisors meeting. According to township records, the 2,000-square-foot homes are expected to each have three bedrooms, a one- or two-car garage, and parking space for one or two cars in the driveway.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 4/1/2025

Upper Makefield residents file class action lawsuit over pipeline leak
Residents of Mt. Eyre Manor and surrounding neighborhoods in Upper Makefield Township have filed a class action lawsuit against Sunoco Pipeline and Energy Transfer for a pipeline leak that has polluted wells and groundwater. The complaint alleges that the Twin Oaks Pipeline Leak has “caused severe harm and poses a serious ongoing and current danger to residents’ physical health and wellbeing, the community’s groundwater, soil, air quality, and ecosystem, and to property values.” The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a federal agency overseeing fuel pipelines, stated that the Twin Oaks Pipeline may have been leaking for 16 months. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation based on its determination that pollution from the Twin Oaks Pipeline violates state law. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-1), state Sen. Steven Santarsiero (D-10), state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31) and the Bucks County Board of Commissioners have all called for operations of the Twin Oaks Pipeline to be suspended as the investigation continues. The lawsuit says that, despite all of this, “Sunoco continues to transport hazardous liquids” through the pipeline.
Source: Newtown Patch; 4/1/2025

Former police station could become mini town center in Northampton
Northampton Township supervisors recently approved plans for the sale and redevelopment of the former police station in the heart of Richboro. The vacant building sits on 1.3 acres between the Bucks County Courthouse and the former Bucks County Courier Times satellite office. Two proposals were received by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority for the property last year. Richboro Owners Group submitted a bid for $950,000 with plans for a comprehensive redevelopment of the site and the adjoining 0.81 acres, the former Courier Times office. The developer envisions transforming the area into a mini town center with restaurants, fitness studios and more. The developer will now head into a lengthy land development approval process that will include township staff reviews, planning commission recommendations, public comment opportunities and final board approval.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 4/1/2025

Richland to decide on rezoning 140 acres for residential development
Members of the Richland Township Planning Commission recently voted to recommend a zoning change for 140 acres east of Old Bethlehem Pike. The proposal would rezone 115 parcels from Rural Agricultural to Suburban Residential Low, paving the way for a future low-density residential development. The neighboring Twin Lakes subdivision would also be rezoned — a change that would have no impact because the 107-home development is complete. The property was identified as a potential site for future development in a 2023 amendment to the township’s comprehensive plan. The primary parcel available for redevelopment is along West Paletown Road, south of the Twin Lakes neighborhood. A final decision about the rezoning will be considered by Richland Township supervisors at a public hearing on Monday, April 14.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/21/2025

Bristol Township works to address concerns about encampments, neighborhood safety
Bristol Township Council heard from a 26-year resident of the township about neighborhood safety issues near Beaver Dam Road. The resident said she has seen increasing foot traffic in a nearby home and a new encampment in a wooded area near the turnpike. Township Manager Randee Mazur said the police and code enforcement departments are actively monitoring the situation and plan to reach out to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to investigate a strong odor coming from the property. Mazur said the township is also working with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to deter the encampments that appear in the woods when the weather turns warmer.
Source: LevittownNow; 3/26/2025 

Chester County leads state in population growth
U.S. Census estimates of Pennsylvania’s total population as of July 1, 2024, show that Chester County is once again leading the state in population growth. The figures reported by the Pennsylvania State Data Center in Harrisburg showed that Pennsylvania experienced an overall population increase of just over 75,800 between 2020 and 2024. Among the 28 counties that increased in population, Chester County had the largest numeric increase, with 26,327 new residents. Pike County and Cumberland County were the fastest-growing counties when looking at percent change, with Pike at 6.5% and Cumberland at 6.2%. But not far behind was Chester, with a 4.9% increase. Chester County’s total population in July is estimated at 560,745, leaving it the smallest numerically of the five southeastern counties. Chester County commissioners were glad the county is seen as a desirable place to live, but expressed some reservations about the impact of growth on traffic congestion and open space.
Source: Daily Local; 3/20/2025

Tredyffrin apartment building acquired by New York firm for $96.5M
A New York real estate firm has added to its suburban Philadelphia holdings with the $96.5 million acquisition of an 18-month-old Main Line apartment building, Chester County property records show. Pantzer Properties purchased the 250-unit Ember at Berwyn from developers Bozzuto and Echo Realty. The deal is believed to be the largest publicly recorded multifamily sale in Greater Philadelphia this year. The four-story Ember at Berwyn opened in late 2023 at 400 Swedesford Road in Tredyffrin Township. The building has joined Pantzer Properties’ “The Point” brand and is now named The Point at Berwyn. Pantzer Properties subsidiary Panco Management manages the 308,448-square-foot building. Rents at the property span from $1,802 per month for a studio to $4,400 for a three-bedroom unit. The development has 9,000 square feet of amenity space, including coworking space, a fitness center, a pool and barbecue grills. There is also a connection to the Chester Valley Trail, which runs parallel to Swedesford Road.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 4/1/2025

Oxford Borough officials discuss project in neighboring Lower Oxford
Oxford Borough officials recently discussed a proposed senior living community in neighboring Lower Oxford Township. Matthew McKeon, a representative for Providence Place, asked to be added to an upcoming agenda to facilitate “a collaborative effort between two municipalities." Lower Oxford’s solicitor is currently reviewing the plans for the development, but due to the close proximity of the property to the borough, it is expected to bring up concerns from Oxford Borough officials as well. The borough has a waterline easement on the property. At the same meeting, borough officials encouraged residents to participate in No Mow May, an initiative to help pollinating insects by not mowing the lawn until June.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/26/2025

East Marlborough has another supervisor vacancy
A third East Marlborough supervisor has resigned within the past year. The board voted 3-0 to approve John Auger’s resignation at the March 12 meeting. Auger first joined the board in July 2024, after he was appointed to replace Eric Matuszak, who resigned in May 2024, and whose term doesn’t expire until Jan. 2, 2026. Kathryn Monahan was the next to leave after Matuszak. She resigned Sept. 5, and the board approved James Chance as her replacement at the Nov. 4 meeting. Both Chance and whoever the board appoints as Auger’s replacement will serve the remainder of the year; both seats are up for a new term in the November election. The board will consider candidates during a closed interview session on April 3. “The vacancy will be filled during the regular public meeting of May 9,” said Supervisors Chairwoman Ellen Sosangelis.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 3/26/2025

Virtual public meeting set for Birchrun Road Bridge replacement project in West Vincent
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will hold a live virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. for the upcoming project to replace the bridge that carries Birchrun Road over Birch Run in West Vincent Township. The project involves removing the existing bridge, abutments, pier and wing walls, and replacing the structure with a wider, one-span, prestressed, adjacent plank beam bridge. For more information on the project, visit the Birchrun Road Bridge Replacement webpage.
Source: Daily Local; 4/1/2025