NAR co-signs Pew recommendations on housing affordability, availability
The National Association of Realtors has signed on to the Pew Charitable Trust’s report, “Principles for Enhancing Housing Availability and Affordability.” The principles — cosigned by more than 50 pro-housing organizations — offer a variety of recommendations to:

• Facilitate a broader range of housing options
• Alleviate regulatory burdens
• Promote growth in high-use areas
• Reduce administrative barriers to building more housing

Read more at the NAR website.
Source: NAR; 9/16/2025

Saving the American Dream Act
In a significant move to address the growing housing affordability crisis, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Saving the American Dream Act. By requiring key federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury, to coordinate and share housing market data and research, the bill aims to establish a stronger foundation for developing responsive and impactful housing programs. Read more at the National Association of Realtors website.
Source: NAR; 9/16/2025

Value of housing in the region rose by $41.5B in a year
The Philadelphia region gained $41.5 billion in housing value in a year, ranking the metropolitan area in the top three for housing wealth gains from June 2024 to June 2025, according to Zillow. Housing wealth is the market value of all residential real estate in an area. Homes in the Philadelphia region were worth a total of $932 billion in June, according to Zillow’s analysis, published last week. An area’s total housing value increases when existing homes appreciate and also when homes are added. The Philadelphia area’s relative affordability compared to other Northeast markets has driven consistently strong demand, which increases the value of existing homes and attracts builders, said Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/16/2025

Outdated property assessments may hurt some Bucks homeowners
The last countywide reassessment of Bucks County properties was in 1972 — and current county commissioners say there is no movement to authorize a new one. Standard measures show that Bucks County's property taxes are a bit off, with data from 2023 and 2024 suggesting that people with more expensive properties are paying less than they should, while those with lower-value properties are paying more. Despite decades of expert recommendations, Bucks County commissioners have consistently opposed reassessment, citing high costs and political unpopularity. Current lawsuits or new legislation at the state level may force the county’s hand. The nonprofit Community Justice Project is suing Pennsylvania on behalf of low-income homeowners in two western Pennsylvania counties arguing that base-year assessment systems overtax some homes and that leaving counties to conduct and pay for assessments themselves violates state law. Bucks County also uses a base-year assessment system. There is also a state Senate bill that would take the decision to reassess out of the county’s hands and require a “full canvassing” of property data every 10 years, plus add new ways to pay for the assessment.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 9/15/2025

Changes made to proposed ‘boutique hotel’ plan in Doylestown
Developer Larry Thomson brought updated plans for a four-story “boutique” hotel and event space before the Doylestown Borough Planning Commission. The latest plan proposes 47 rooms, up from the original 32, but reduces the number of seats in the event space and restaurant. The event capacity drop was the result of a court settlement between residents living near the downtown project and the developer. Thomson also needed to reconfigure the plan to provide for the required 72 parking spaces after the borough zoning hearing board denied a parking variance earlier this summer. The planning commission tabled a recommendation on the plan and will revisit it at the commission’s next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. at Doylestown Borough Hall.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/15/2025

Proposed site for Pennsbury HS reviewed by DEP
At the request of a complainant, four representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspected the site where Pennsbury School District plans to build a new high school. An 18-page report from DEP “requests a full delineation of the area where the proposed building project will be constructed” from the school district due to several wetland areas on the property. Pennsbury officials said the district would comply with all regulatory requirements and that the district’s certified wetland scientist is working to address DEP concerns. The $269 million project has proven to be controversial in the community, because of the high price tag and lack of a voter referendum. A recent analysis by the Bucks County Courier Times says the district's proposed 14.6-mill tax increase between 2024 and 2029 could cost the average homeowner anywhere between about $270 to almost $620 more in their tax bill, depending on the township or borough in which they live.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/12/2025 & Bucks County Courier Times; 9/15/2025

BCAR to host webinar on housing affordability in Bucks County
Low inventory and high prices are pushing homeownership out of reach for workers, families, and young adults in Bucks County — and making it difficult for seniors to downsize and stay in the communities they love. The Bucks County Association of Realtors will host a one-hour webinar — Housing That Works: Smart Growth & Affordable Solutions for Bucks County — focused on attainable and workforce housing solutions that can help communities grow sustainably. Suburban Realtors Alliance president and CEO Jamie Ridge will serve as moderator and will be joined by state Rep. Jim Prokopiak (D-140), sponsor of a new bill promoting smart growth and housing affordability, and Evan Stone, executive director of the Bucks County Planning Commission. The webinar will be held Friday, Oct. 24, at noon.
Source: BCAR 

Chesco commissioners to vote on anti-discrimination ordinance
The Chester County Board of Commissioners will consider adopting a countywide human relations ordinance that would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The proposal, Ordinance 2025-03, would bar discrimination based on race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, disability, age, veteran status, source of income, use of support animals or aids, or status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence. It would also establish a Chester County Human Relations Commission to investigate and adjudicate complaints and provide remedies, supplementing existing state and federal protections. The commissioners will vote on the measure on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. in the board room at 313 W. Market St., West Chester.
Source: Daily Local; 9/14/2025

East Vincent rushes to adopt data center ordinance
East Vincent Township officials are rushing to adopt a zoning ordinance for data centers before a formal plan is filed to redevelop the former Pennhurst State Hospital property. According to solicitor Joe Clemente, the property owner recently submitted a sketch plan that includes a data center, offices and a plant that would burn old tires to produce black carbon and fuel — though the developer has signaled the true goal is the data center. “He would abandon those plans if there is an opportunity for the data center use,” Clemente said. Planning commission members and residents criticized the draft as rushed and lacking safeguards on height, woodland protection, water use and noise. The commission voted against recommending the measure, saying it ignored months of input. Opponents also objected to allowing 90-foot buildings, limited setbacks and water withdrawals from the Schuylkill River. Advocates want stricter conditions, including LEED certification, decommissioning funds and larger buffers for neighbors and the nearby veterans’ home. The proposed law is drafted so that a data center would require a “special exception” from the zoning hearing board to be built. This was done, Clement said, so that the board of supervisors is not the deciding body, as would be the case with a conditional use. That means the supervisors can be positioned to “be an active party” to the zoning decision and sue if they disagree with it. Despite concerns, township leaders said they plan to pass a legally defensible ordinance quickly, then amend it within weeks. Supervisors could vote on the ordinance as soon as Monday, Sept. 22.
Source: Daily Local; 9/17/2025

Residents’ concerns about Rutter’s project linger in West Nottingham
A proposal to build a Rutter’s convenience store and gas station on 100 acres of Kimble Farm is drawing opposition from West Nottingham Township residents concerned about truck traffic, farmland loss and the project’s impact on the rural community. The Kimble family has entered a sales agreement with Rutter’s, which plans to develop about 10 acres of the property near Route 1. Supporters point to potential job creation and increased tax revenue, while critics liken the project to a truck stop and say it would worsen traffic already fueled by housing growth and warehouse development. An Aug. 27 zoning hearing was continued at the request of Rutter’s representatives, with the next session scheduled for Oct. 13 at Herr’s Visitors Center in Nottingham. Read more at the Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 9/10/2025

Updated Chester County website unveiled
Chester County Government has launched a refreshed design for its official website featuring an improved format that makes searching easier and enhances usability on mobile devices and tablets. The site is a digital gateway to Chester County’s 39 departments, courts and court-related services. A ”Community” section provides county demographics, county history, a list of municipalities, and interactive maps for schools and trails. The “How Do I…” feature leads to highly searched services, including the purchase of dog, hunting and fishing licenses, applications for marriage licenses, mail-in ballots and passports, property searches, public libraries, and directions on signing up for county news and emergency notifications.
Source: Chester County; 9/15/2025