New Guide Supports Planning for Affordably-Priced Homes in Chester County

photo

Posted January 19, 2022

As the cost of living continues to rise across the U.S., many families have become burdened by the cost of housing. Because of this, the Chester County Planning Commission recently completed a report on the various costs related to housing construction, ranging from land and infrastructure costs such as stormwater management and roads, to soft costs such as surveys and taxes.

From the results found in this report, a new Affordably-Priced Homes Guide was prepared featuring a series of approaches and strategies for municipalities to consider to reduce overall construction costs and foster the creation of affordably priced homes. The guide helps municipalities minimize and mitigate some of the factors that drive up overall housing construction costs without jeopardizing the protections intended through reasonable municipal regulations.

The county's Comprehensive Plan, Landscapes3, renews a commitment to balancing growth and preservation while embracing the unique characteristics that make Chester County a cherished place to live, work, and play. Nurturing communities through a balance of residential opportunities and access to community facilities, services, and amenities is addressed through Objective B of the "Live" goal in Landscapes3, which calls for accommodation of housing at costs accessible to all residents in locations close to job opportunities.

View the guide to learn more about the need for affordably-priced homes, including approaches and strategies, context, and resources.