2025

The City of Coatesville Council has recently passed an ordinance that increases the local real estate transfer tax rate from 2 % to 2.5 %, taking effect on January 1, 2026. The tax hike is designed to generate an estimated additional $180,000 in revenue for the city’s 2026 budget. A portion of the new rate—specifically a half-percent of the 2.5 % rate—will continue to be allocated to the...

A significant boost for senior housing opportunities in Bucks County: the Daniel B. Green House — a 60-unit affordable housing community for residents aged 62 and older — has officially opened at 4695 Somerton Road in Trevose. BUCKSCO.Today+2jewishexponent.com+2 Why This Development Matters The building is designed to provide one-bedroom apartments for low-income older adults in a region where...

If you’re a homeowner or getting ready to purchase in Pennsylvania, there’s an important update regarding a key winter-support program that could affect many households. The Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides heating-bill support to qualified low-income residents in Pennsylvania, is facing a delayed launch for the 2025-26 season. According to the Pennsylvania...

A major step toward community preservation and urban revitalization is underway in Philadelphia, as the Philadelphia Land Bank has officially purchased 35 garden parcels at an August sheriff’s sale. These lots, previously tied up in privately held tax liens, are part of an ongoing effort to secure and protect long-standing community gardens across the city. The initiative—developed through...

If you live in Upper Dublin Township, there’s an important update you’ll want to know about before heading to the polls this November. Earlier this year, in February 2025, the township approved and implemented new ward boundaries—changes that could affect where some residents vote in the upcoming November 5, 2025, election. The updated Upper Dublin ward map is now available on the township’s...

The beloved Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville—a landmark known for its rich history and vibrant arts scene—is getting some much-needed restoration. Construction is now underway on a major preservation project aimed at repairing the building’s damaged west wall, a structural issue that has threatened the integrity of the historic 1903 theater. Thanks to an incredible community effort, the Colonial...

Lower Merion Township is taking major steps toward a cleaner, quieter community. Township commissioners have advanced a proposal that would begin phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers — a move that aligns with a growing trend among suburban communities focused on reducing noise pollution and promoting environmentally friendly landscaping practices. Under the proposed ordinance, the transition would...

You think you've finally found your dream home and your offer has already been accepted, which means you’re heading into the inspection. You’re already halfway through the process!  However, since buying a home is one of the largest investments you can make, a comprehensive home inspection is also one of the most critical steps in this process. A professional inspection helps uncover hidden...

It’s been just over a year since major changes reshaped Philadelphia’s eviction process, and the results show both progress and new challenges. For more than five decades, evictions in Philadelphia were carried out by two groups — the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office and a private organization known as the Landlord and Tenant Office (LTO). While sheriff’s deputies handled a portion of the...

A major housing proposal from West Chester University has stirred up conversation — and concern — among nearby residents and local officials. The university has proposed demolishing the aging College Arms Apartments and replacing them with a 420-bed student residence hall, complete with retail and administrative space along High Street. The plan, which would require rezoning the property from a...