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Public Comment Open for County's '26 Budget
Government budgets are documents that express our collective will and values. And the values being reflected at the federal and county levels are in stark contrast right now. This week, Montgomery County residents will have a few opportunities for input on the county’s 2026 budget. For housing advocates, it occurs in the wake of a major announcement from the Trump Administration and the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) that will cut housing assistance
Michael Hays
53 minutes ago1 min read


Finally! Upper Gwynedd Approves 60 Cornerstone Apartments
Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly quantified cost-burdened households in Montco. Approximately 1-out-of-2 rental households spends more than 30% of their paycheck on housing. After more than two years of contentious community debate, the Upper Gwynedd Township Board of Commissioners closed the book on a workforce housing proposal that will net 60 apartment homes near the Pennbrook train station. As a result, five dozen families and individuals will get to
Michael Hays
Nov 195 min read


Supporters of Cornerstone Rally before key 11/17 vote
More than 30 residents, advocates, and local leaders gathered Saturday at Parkside Park in Upper Gwynedd Township to rally in support of the Cornerstone at Pennbrook Station development ahead of the Township Board of Commissioners’ final vote on Monday, November 17 at 7 p.m. Organized by the Montco 30% Project and co-hosted by North Penn Advocates and the Bucks-Mont Collaborative , the rally brought together a cross-section of neighbors and community partners calling for m
Michael Hays
Nov 103 min read


Competitive Races in Norristown region include Miller, Santoyo
In the Norristown area, several races for municipal council and township commissioner are on the ballot this Tuesday, Nov. 4. The aspiring public servants in Montgomery County’s 62 municipalities have broad latitude over policy decisions related to community development, land use, zoning, and much more. You can learn more from Montgomery County Voter Services , including sample ballots. Responses were received from Marty Miller, an incumbent commisioner in West Norriton To
Michael Hays
Oct 296 min read


Pottstown Candidates Outline Housing Viewpoints
Pottstown Borough has a competitive mayor’s race and several council seats on the ballot. The aspiring public servants in Montgomery County’s 62 municipalities have broad latitude over policy decisions related to community development, land use, zoning, and much more. They appear on your local ballot this November 4, 2025. **Note that write-in candidates were not contacted for this article. The requirement to get on the primary ballot is a minimum of 10 petition signatures.
Michael Hays
Oct 2511 min read


Elect Housing Champions Nov. 4
Do you know who is running for local office in your town? Aspiring public servants in Montgomery County’s 62 municipalities have broad latitude over policy decisions related to community development, land use, zoning, and much more. They appear on your local ballot this November 4, 2025. You can look up your sample ballot , thanks to Montgomery County Voter Services. Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, we will begin posting responses from candidates in high-interest municipalities s
Michael Hays
Oct 171 min read


A Reluctant, Grateful New Homeowner
I had long given up on the dream of owning a home when a Bridgeport apartment fire in February had me on the move for the fourth time in...
Michael Hays
Sep 263 min read


Analysis: Towamencin Makes Major Decision on Freddy Hill
Freddy Hill Farms, a short walk from my childhood home, will officially close for good Sept. 28. That’s the same week I will close on my...
Michael Hays
Sep 133 min read


Pottstown Development Opens Door for Workforce Housing
Developer interest in downtown Pottstown could create opportunities to build workforce/affordable housing. Across the street from the...
Michael Hays
Sep 62 min read


Seniors in Limerick Face 50% Rent Hike
Political pressure and media attention appear to be having at least a marginal impact on the 50% lot rent hike in Limerick Township. For...
Michael Hays
Aug 222 min read


New Hanover development returns for review after losing suit over racist zoning
The developer of the New Hanover Town Center is back before municipal planners after losing a lawsuit over allegations of racist and...
Michael Hays
Aug 92 min read


Interview with North Penn Advocates
As one in a series of interviews with local leaders who are working to help our food-insecure neighbors, and neighbors experiencing...
Michael Hays
Jul 263 min read


Parks & Police: What Binds Lansdale to Norristown
Exactly how Lansdale Borough will address individuals who refuse to leave public parks after dark remains unknown at this time. Lansdale...
Michael Hays
Jul 172 min read


Homes as More than Wealth
When I first started learning about community land trusts, I was both intrigued and mildly confused. The purpose and mission behind CLTs...
Michael Hays
Jul 52 min read


Housing Votes in PA House Show Promise
Our government can still get stuff done. In our state Capitol, we should take note that the House Majority Democrats prioritized two...
Michael Hays
Jun 272 min read


Municipal Updates: Genny's Place Vote this Week, Freddy Hill, and more
Here is a condensed version of what's happening on the housing front near your community: Norristown – While the county-funded...
Michael Hays
Jun 251 min read


Action alert: Lansdale Borough to Remove Camps from Public Parks
Lansdale Borough leadership appears to be backsliding on addressing homelessness. Just months ahead of the opening of a county-funded...
Michael Hays
Jun 94 min read


Delaware Progress Provides a Model
My parents, born in the 1950s, are pretty typical Americans. They purchased a home in the suburbs, helped put their four kids through...
Michael Hays
May 274 min read


A Sigh of (Zoning) Relief: Love Won
By Jackson De Guzman and Mike Hays Those seeking poignant storytelling would likely not conjure up a municipal zoning meeting as a hot...
Michael Hays
May 165 min read


Norristown ZHB to hear county housing proposal May 14
Let’s build a stronger, safer community together. You can help support the approval of new, year-round supportive short-term housing in...
Michael Hays
May 32 min read
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