As Housing Costs Soar, Southern Chester County Faces Affordable Housing Crisis

Homelessness in southern Chester County has more than doubled in the last three years, as housing costs soar while incomes remain flat, writes Steven Hoffman for the Chester County Press.

Today, a two-bedroom apartment in Kennett Square rents for $1,200 or more a month, leaving people on low or fixed incomes with very few options.

Melanie Weiler, executive director of the Kennett Area Community Service, says this means that an increasing number of people across the county are having trouble finding and maintaining affordable housing.

Three years ago, KACS re-housed 35 households. The following year, that number increased to 55, and last year, it was more than 100.

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“We are in an affordable housing crisis in southern Chester County,” said Weiler.

However, there are efforts under way to change things, with the United Way of Southern Chester County putting a spotlight on the issue. Also, a group of local officials, investors, developers, and landlords are working together to find a solution.

“It’s time for us to work together,” said Weiler. “It’s a community-wide problem, and we need to work together as a community.”

Read more about housing in southern Chester County in the Chester County Press here.

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