Pennsylvania’s Chester County, one of the state’s wealthiest, saw more homes built in 2021 than any year since 2001.
According to an article by Michaelle Bond in The Philadelphia Inquirer, one of Pennsylvania’s wealthiest and fastest-growing counties saw a record number of new homes built in 2021.
“Last year, 3,743 homes were built in Chester County — more than in any year since 2001, according to the county’s annual housing report, released this month. And despite rising housing costs that pushed the county’s median sale price in 2021 to a record $420,000, more homes sold last year than in any year since 2005” thanks to the area’s rapid growth. “Chester County’s population grew by 7% from 2010 to 2020, according to census data, on par with Montgomery County and faster than any other county in the region.”
County leaders want to balance development with open space conservation. “As of early 2021, 30% of the county was protected open space, according to county data.” The county is also adding more multifamily housing to meet rising demand. “More than half of the homes built in the county in 2021 — 1,963 — were apartments. That’s more than three times as many as were built in 2020, according to the county.”
The source article details the steps taken by municipalities in the county to make housing more affordable for their residents, such as adaptive reuse of industrial properties, mixed-use development, and other zoning reforms that accommodate more housing production.
FULL STORY: Developers built a record number of homes in one of Pa.’s wealthiest counties last year
Feds Annouce $100 Million for Housing and Zoning Reform Programs
The program is aimed at helping local and state governments spur housing construction by reducing regulatory barriers.
The Rise of Zoning Reform
As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.
Report: Why It Costs so Much to Build Housing in Austin
The study highlights high real estate costs as well as restrictive zoning regulations and building requirements that delay multi-family construction.
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design
Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.
Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers
The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.
Fort Worth To Relaunch Bike Share System in January
Trinity Metro shuttered its current system at the end of November and plans to relaunch with a mostly-electric system.
A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit
The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Village of Glen Ellyn
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners