Scope of U.S. housing shortage is hard to quantify
The national housing crisis is widely acknowledged but fiercely debated, with estimates of the shortage ranging from as few as zero to as many as 20 million homes, reflecting deep disagreements over how to define and measure housing need. Analysts at Moody’s, Goldman Sachs, Zillow, Brookings, Freddie Mac and McKinsey all use different assumptions about vacancies, household formation, affordability and overcrowding, producing estimates from about 2 million to more than 8 million homes, while congressional Republicans argue regulatory barriers mean the true shortfall is closer to 20 million. Other economists contend there is no overall shortage, only a lack of affordable units, pointing to stable population growth and sufficient total housing stock. The conflicting numbers underscore that the debate is less about math than about competing visions of what constitutes a “healthy” housing market and whether the problem is fundamentally one of supply, affordability or both.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/4/2026 

$29M in federal and private funds go to Delaware River Watershed projects
Federal and private grants totaling nearly $29 million were announced for conservation projects within the Delaware River Watershed. The money comes from nearly $12.5 million in grants to the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and matching funds from other nonprofits. The new funds will flow to 30 conservation projects, including:

• $650,000 for South Philadelphia Wetlands Park II, which includes adding a kayak launch and a natural pier park, and restoring two acres of forested upland, meadow and wetlands
• $2 million for stream channel restoration in the south branch of French Creek, a project of the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust 
• $900,400 to reintroduce wild brook trout in restored agricultural watersheds in Chester County

Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/5/2026

HUD announces requirements to verify citizenship status
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that public housing agencies (PHAs) and certain “owners” would be required to verify the citizenship and immigration status of individuals using housing assistance programs. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has advised that the term “owners” does not include private property owners who lease individual properties to tenants under the housing choice voucher program (Section 8), which means members who own or manage these types of properties should not have any additional responsibilities. If members have questions, they can visit the NAR resource page or contact the local PHA for more information.
Source: PA Realtors; 2/9/2026

Gov. Shapiro calls for $1B investment amid PA housing affordability crisis
Pennsylvania’s worsening housing shortage, which is driving up home prices and rents, has prompted Gov. Josh Shapiro to propose a $1 billion bond-funded investment to preserve existing housing, build new units and support related infrastructure, while also pushing for zoning and regulatory reforms to speed development. State officials warn that without major action the housing deficit could grow by as many as 185,000 units by 2035, even as builders say lengthy permitting timelines and overlapping state, federal and local regulations — some rooted in the state’s largely unchanged 1968 Municipalities Planning Code — make it impossible to build fast enough. Shapiro is calling for modernizing the planning code, cataloging local zoning rules, streamlining approvals, and encouraging denser and mixed-use development, including accessory dwelling units, while local officials stress the need to balance faster construction with community protections and note that smaller municipalities often lack planning capacity. The governor is also proposing renter protections, limits on rental fees, and safeguards for manufactured home residents.
Source: WHYY; 2/4/2026

Many opportunity zones in region saw home prices rise
Many Philadelphia-area opportunity zones saw home prices rise faster than the broader market over the past year, according to an analysis by ATTOM. The analysis has 84 zones posting an average increase of 9% and nearly 60% of regional zones recording gains between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025. Growth was even stronger in Philadelphia proper, where about 65% of opportunity zones experienced rising median home prices, though values in these areas remain well below non-opportunity zone neighborhoods nationally. As the federal Opportunity Zone program faces major changes beginning in 2027, the number of eligible zones is expected to shrink significantly due to stricter income and poverty thresholds and the elimination of contiguous-area designations, potentially reducing eligible tracts by more than 20% and setting up competition among states and localities over which communities will qualify for the next round of tax-advantaged investment.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 2/5/2026 

Bensalem Township School District faces financial crisis
Bensalem Township School District is facing a “severe” financial crisis after overspending its 2024-2025 budget by nearly $4 million. District officials must now consider deep spending cuts or tax increases beyond the state cap. District leaders say bills tied to special education and charter tuition alone exceeded projections by about $7 million, driven in part by a dramatic increase in special education students reported by School Lane Charter School, which significantly raised the district’s required payments even as overall charter enrollment declined. John Steffy, head of business operations, questioned the number of special needs students at the charter school and reminded the board that the district cannot audit the charter students’ special education plans. Officials warned that even a tax hike exceeding 8% would still leave the district millions of dollars in deficit for 2026-2027. Bensalem is holding a special budget meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/9/2026

Public input sought for Washington Crossing Bridge alternatives
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is seeking public input on the future of the Washington Crossing Bridge through public sessions that were held in early February and online materials as part of a multi-year alternatives analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act. The process is meant to allow motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to review information on the bridge’s deficiencies, environmental considerations and potential options, including taking no action, rehabilitating, replacing or repurposing the bridge. Officials say public feedback will help shape the environmental review and guide the selection of a preferred alternative aimed at improving safety and mobility on the commission’s narrowest and most complaint-prone river crossing, which currently has a three-ton weight limit. The materials can be viewed on the project webpage, where comments can be submitted.
Source: Newtown Patch; 2/5/2026

Falls Township approves land development plan for new Pennsbury High School
Falls Township supervisors unanimously granted preliminary and final land development approval for the construction of a new, 497,000-square-foot Pennsbury High School at the intersection of Hood Boulevard and Queen Anne Drive. The Pennsbury School Board has capped the project’s cost at just under $270 million to avoid a voter referendum, though construction bids are not due until March 5, raising the possibility that higher-than-expected bids could require rebidding or plan revisions. While a resident urged supervisors to delay final approval until bids were received, township officials said the plans met all requirements and any cost-related changes would be the responsibility of the school district. Bids are scheduled to be opened at a public meeting on Thursday, March 5, at 4 p.m. in Keller Hall at Pennsbury High School West, 608 S. Olds Blvd. in Fairless Hills.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 2/3/2026

Bucks home prices dropped last November
Home prices in Bucks County declined in November 2025, according to newly released Realtor.com data, with the median sale price falling to $475,000, down 7.8% from October and 5% lower than November 2024. Single-family homes saw the sharpest month-to-month drop, falling 8% to a median of $515,000, though prices were only modestly lower year over year. Condominium and townhome prices dipped 3.1% from October but rose nearly 2% compared to a year earlier. Despite lower prices, overall activity increased, with 547 home sales recorded in November — up 7.7% from the same month last year — and a higher number of $1-million-plus transactions, reflecting continued demand at the high end of the market even as broader price pressures eased.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/6/2026 

Kennett Square declares hydrogen sulfide a threat to public health
Kennett Square Borough Council unanimously enacted a new emergency declaration to help tackle the phorid fly problem. Unlike the borough’s similar declaration enacted in 2024, the new measure states that hydrogen sulfide is a threat to public health. “The phorid fly infestation and hydrogen sulfide emissions have a severe negative impact on residents’ quality of life,” Mayor Matthew Fetick said. Southern Chester County is home to 24/7 mushroom cultivation, which produces hydrogen sulfide, a heavy gas that sometimes smells like rotten eggs. Exposure to the toxin at high levels can be fatal. Phorid flies are attracted to the moisture and odor from decomposing materials, while hydrogen chloride is produced by the breakdown of organic matter. Fetick said neighboring municipalities have agreed to consider issuing a similar declaration, or resolution, at upcoming meetings in February. A public meeting is slated for Wednesday, March 18, in which research on new technologies to combat the phorid fly will be discussed.
Source: Daily Local; 2/4/2026

Chester County fire departments face cost, staffing challenges
Fire departments across southern Chester County are facing growing financial and staffing pressures as emergency calls rise and the cost of equipment continues to soar, even as demand for reliable service remains high, local fire chiefs said. The three departments in the Kennett Fire and EMS Regional Commission responded to more than 5,000 calls in 2024, up nearly 12% from 2017, driven largely by population growth and increased medical needs. While departments remain largely nonprofit and rely on a mix of municipal funding, grants and fundraising, the price of essential equipment, such as fire trucks and ambulances, has climbed into the millions, with long wait times for delivery. At the same time, departments are shifting away from an all-volunteer model toward a blend of volunteers and career staff, adding costs but helping ensure around-the-clock coverage as fewer residents are able to commit time to unpaid service.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/4/2026

East Goshen Township launches updated website
East Goshen Township has overhauled its municipal website. Realtors will find forms and applications here. The township is still making updates and improvements to the new site. Comments or corrections can be emailed to egtadmin@eastgoshen.org.
Source: East Goshen Township; 2/5/2026

Chester County offers free Fraud Guard service
Property theft scams are on the rise in Chester County, but residents can protect themselves with Fraud Guard, a free monitoring service offered by the Chester County Recorder of Deeds. The service, which is also known as Fraud Notify, alerts property owners when a land record, such as a deed or mortgage, is filed under their name or property identification number. The program sends an email notification within about 48 hours, allowing owners to quickly review suspicious filings and report potential fraud, a growing concern for local real estate professionals after recent incidents in which scammers attempted to sell property without the owner’s knowledge. County officials stress that residents do not need to pay for private “title lock” services, because Fraud Guard provides similar protection at no cost.
Source: Chester County; 2/5/2026

Chesco economic council is optimistic about 2026 growth
At the 22nd annual Economic Outlook, a forum presented by the Chester County Economic Development Council, attendees heard notes of optimism. “We expect an uptick in economic growth in 2026,” said Dianne P. Manges, senior investment manager at Truist, who was among the speakers. “That’s fueled from a few different sources, and one is that there’s an incredible amount of tax incentives coming through this year that will benefit both businesses and consumers.”
Source: Chester County Press; 2/4/2026