The federal government’s pausing of food assistance benefits late last year caused national panic – and rightfully so. Much less well-known – but perhaps just as catastrophic – is a change in how federal dollars are awarded to housing providers throughout the United States. It has the potential to exacerbate homelessness and set off a chain of events whereby families and individuals who were making progress end up stumbling backwards on their road to independence.  In early 2

Winter is inherently a fraught time to talk about homeless encampments. We are starting with the presupposition that no one should be sleeping outside in below-30 degree temperatures.  It’s obviously deadly.  But what happens when construction crews begin mobilization work this coming spring in Upper Gwynedd Township on 60 apartments and encounter people camped out? At the township commissioners meeting Nov. 17  when Cornerstone at Pennbrook received final approval, represent

In the company town once known for its employer-provided housing and self-sustaining community, housing advocates and professionals gathered in Hershey last week for the annual Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania’s Homes Within Reach conference.  A myriad of panels, breakout sessions, and luncheons featured a range of topics and organizations, including the Pennsylvania Land Bank Network , Lehigh University’s Small Cities Lab , and YIGBY (Yes, in God’s Backyard), as well as stra

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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...

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...

Developer interest in downtown Pottstown could create opportunities to build workforce/affordable housing.  Across the street from the...

Political pressure and media attention appear to be having at least a marginal impact on the 50% lot rent hike in Limerick Township.  For...

The developer of the New Hanover Town Center is back before municipal planners after losing a lawsuit over allegations of racist and...

As one in a series of interviews with local leaders who are working to help our food-insecure neighbors, and neighbors experiencing...

Exactly how Lansdale Borough will address individuals who refuse to leave public parks after dark remains unknown at this time.  Lansdale...

When I first started learning about community land trusts, I was both intrigued and mildly confused. The purpose and mission behind CLTs...

Our government can still get stuff done.  In our state Capitol, we should take note that the House Majority Democrats prioritized two...

Here is a condensed version of what's happening on the housing front near your community: Norristown  – While the county-funded...

Lansdale Borough leadership appears to be backsliding on addressing homelessness.  Just months ahead of the opening of a county-funded...