Gov. Shapiro looks to fund home repairs program
The Whole-Home Repairs Program was created in 2022 with bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania legislature. It was funded with $125 million in federal pandemic aid and proved to be a popular initiative. Attempts to continue the program in 2023 and 2024 were unsuccessful. The Shapiro administration now proposes $50 million for a new program that would build on lessons from the earlier effort and use state lawmakers’ feedback. Shapiro’s budget request is part of a larger statewide housing strategy that is still under development. Shapiro noted in his budget address that Pennsylvania has some of the oldest housing stock in the country. Kate Flessner, a spokesperson for state Senate Republicans said, “With such a large demand for new spending and unrealistic consideration as to the impact for future years, at this point it’s hard to see how such a program could be funded.” Read more from Spotlight PA.
Source: Spotlight PA; 3/10/2025

Trump administration plans to close HUD offices across the country
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to close dozens of field offices across the country, according to staff at the department as well as a union that represents federal workers. The move would leave most states without sites or staff to underwrite mortgages, and would potentially violate federal law. Federal law requires the agency to maintain at least one field office in every state in order to process applications for mortgage insurance. Field offices also address fair housing claims and assist landlords, tenants and local governments with other issues. Another federal law states that the reorganization of any regional or field office at HUD can only proceed 90 days after the government has released a cost-benefit analysis of closing the office, including a study of the impact on the local economy. No such analysis has been published in the Federal Register since President Donald Trump came into office. The plan keeps open the regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Worth and Philadelphia, as well as Kansas City, Kansas. Field office closures would leave 34 states and the District of Columbia without any local HUD office. The Federal Housing Administration, a division of HUD, underwrites mortgage insurance for hundreds of thousands of buyers, generating billions of dollars annually for the Treasury. Read more at Bloomberg CityLab.
Source: CityLab; 3/5/2025

NAR commends Vice President Vance on zoning reform remarks
Vice President JD Vance emphasized the importance of zoning reform during his speech at the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C. Part of Vance’s remarks focused on “being smarter about local zoning rules.” He cited Austin, Texas, as an example of smart zoning reform. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) commended the vice president for recognizing the importance of zoning reform. “NAR has long supported efforts to make housing development easier and more cost-effective,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. “We recently issued a letter of support for HUD Secretary Scott Turner and his commitment to breaking down restrictive zoning laws that hinder new development and affordability. While zoning reform starts at the local level, federal support is crucial. Legislation like the bipartisan Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act can help state and local governments remove barriers and implement pro-growth policies.”
Source: NAR; 3/11/2025

Hundreds of affordable housing projects in limbo after contract cuts
The Trump administration has stalled at least $60 million in funding intended largely for affordable housing developments nationwide, throwing hundreds of projects into a precarious limbo. The move is part of a flurry of funding freezes, staffing cuts and contract cancellations by the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), changes that have instilled widespread uncertainty in the affordable housing industry. The $60 million is intended to go to small community development nonprofits in small grants. The money is often used as seed funding for affordable housing projects, turning a concept into a viable development and consequently drawing in more public and private investment. Congress chose three nonprofits to distribute the grants, but HUD said in letters that it was cancelling contracts with two of the organizations, which together were to distribute the $60 million. That’s pushed millions in funding already promised to small nonprofits, or yet to be awarded, into the twilight zone. Read more here.
Source: AP; 3/7/2025

More people in Pennsylvania and Delaware reach 65
Both Pennsylvania and Delaware are among the top 10 states in terms of residents over the age of 65, which means big numbers of people in the Delaware Valley may be entering or thinking about retirement. Pennsylvania has a 10-year strategic plan, called Aging Our Way, that will serve as a roadmap for how the commonwealth will deliver services to seniors. WHYY discussed the large numbers of people in the Delaware Valley who might be entering or thinking about retirement and staying active in the area. Wallet Hub named Pennsylvania the sixth-best state for older Americans to settle in. Read more in PAR JustListed.
Source: WHYY; 3/11/2025 & PAR JustListed; 3/10/2025 

Report: Most Bucks children are not tested for lead exposure
A report from the nonprofit Children First PA shows that, as of 2022, approximately 80% of Bucks County children younger than the age of 2 had not been tested for lead, despite the continued threat of exposure from lead paint and pipes in older homes. The threat of lead exposure is especially high in Pennsylvania — the only state that ranks in the top five for both oldest housing stock and most lead pipes. The highest-risk sources include lead paint dust that settles inside and outside homes, drinking water and contaminated soil. The EPA has found exposure to lead lowers IQ scores in children, stunts their development and increases blood pressure in adults. Much of Bucks County’s housing stock was built before lead was banned in 1978, and although only a quarter of homes built between 1960 and the late ‘70s were treated with lead paint, nearly 90% of homes built before 1940 were. Federal regulations finalized last year require all remaining lead pipes to be replaced within a decade, allocating $2.6 billion to the effort — but Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration are hoping to repeal those rules.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/10/2025 & The Guardian; 2/3/2025

Bridge linking Lower Southampton and Middletown to close for more than a year
The Brownsville Road bridge over Neshaminy Creek will close on March 31 to undergo a $12.1 million bridge replacement project. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced the closure, which will affect travelers in Lower Southampton and Middletown townships. The bridge will be replaced with a new structure that is 24 feet longer and nearly 10 feet wider than the current span. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2026. See the Brownsville Road Bridge Replacement over Neshaminy Creek project site for more information.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/4/2025

24-home development approved in East Rockhill
East Rockhill Township granted final approval for a 24-home development off Three Mile Run Road after a settlement agreement between the township and developer Pennington Property Group. The developer reduced the density of the project by half, added road and traffic improvements on Three Mile Run Road, and must install concrete stormwater basin posts. There will be concrete fencing at the front of the property and a conservation easement at the rear. The homes are estimated to start at $800,000, and construction will take about two years once ground is broken.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/5/2025

Bucks County Sheriff’s Office launches app
The Bucks County Sheriff’s Office has unveiled a new mobile application designed to bolster communication and accessibility for residents and visitors. Sheriff Fred Harran said the app is an “innovative way” to connect with the community. The app offers quick access to vital information about the sheriff’s office, news and alerts, community programs, sheriff’s sale information, and more. The Bucks County Sheriff’s Office app is now available for free download on both the App Store and Google Play. To download, search for “Bucks County Sheriff, PA.”
Source: LevittownNow; 3/5/2025

Former Middletown supervisor rejoins board
Former Middletown Township supervisor Amy Strouse has returned to the board of supervisors after being appointed to a vacant seat following the death of Supervisor Anna Payne. Strouse previously served as a supervisor for six years before not seeking reelection in 2021. She was chairperson of the board in 2018. Strouse will fill the remainder of Payne’s term until the end of 2025.
Source: LevittownNow; 3/5/2025 

Tredyffrin considers using eminent domain to create park
Tredyffrin Township supervisors will hold a hearing on proposed Ordinance No. HR-488 to use eminent domain to acquire a portion of property at 355 Chase Road in Tredyffrin Township for a public park. If passed, the ordinance will go into effect 31 days after passage. The hearing will take place on Monday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at the township building at 1100 Duportail Road, Berwyn.
Source: Daily Local; 3/9/2025

Residents provide feedback for New Garden zoning update
More than 100 New Garden Township residents crammed into the township’s meeting hall on Feb. 26 to voice their opinions about the town’s long-term zoning and planning concepts. At the Draft Zoning Map & Districts Open House, staff from consulting firm Michael Baker International provided an update on their work to clearly define the concepts and proposed changes to the township’s 10 zoning districts: innovation; mixed use corridor; village gateway; village center; residential flex, medium density and low density; airport; enterprise; and parks and open space. An audience survey revealed concerns related to the township’s progress on mapping out its zoning districts, particularly the mushroom industry and residential development. Township supervisors are expected to adopt the updated zoning ordinance and map in the summer. More information on the zoning update project, including maps and meeting videos, is available here.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/5/2025

Learn about Chesco Health Department at free seminar on March 20
The Chester County Health Department will hold a seminar, Local Public Health in Chester County, on Thursday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Government Services Center in West Chester. The free seminar is an opportunity to learn more about the department’s programs and services. Attendees may come for the morning or afternoon sessions, or stay for the full day. The event is open to the public, but registration is required.
Source: Chester County; 3/6/2025

County seeks public input on hazard mitigation plan
Chester County’s Department of Emergency Services is seeking public input through a survey to help update the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan serves as a blueprint for reducing property damage and saving lives from the impacts of natural and human-made hazards. Survey questions cover extreme weather impacts, environmental hazards, invasive species, nuclear incidents, opioid addiction responses, pandemics, transportation accidents and utility failures.
Source: Chester County; 1/9/2025