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The American Dream of Homeownership: A Call to Action in Chester County


A family of four smiles for a photo.

Homeownership is “the American dream.” Unfortunately, for many hard-working Americans, it has become a distant dream. One in six families now spends more than half of their income on housing. 


At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, we believe that homeownership should not be a distant dream, but a reality for all hard-working individuals and families in our community. Unfortunately, the current housing crisis in America has made this dream increasingly elusive for many.


Understanding the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis is at least a decade in the making, according to Chris Vincent, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for Habitat for Humanity International. "A lot of this is from the tailwinds, even from the '08 financial crisis," Vincent said. "We've essentially not been building enough homes for the last decade to keep up with demand."


CBS News found that five years ago, one in three American families could afford a starter home in 63 of America's largest 100 cities. Now, that number is down to just 10 cities.


A little girl and mother in an office.

Consider the story of Ellis, a working mother earning around $70,000 annually. Despite her stable job, her student loan debt has made her debt-to-income ratio a red flag for lenders. She has previously been approved for a $200,000 loan, which falls over $150,000 short of the homes she's been eyeing in an area with good schools for her young daughter. In stark contrast, Carolyn Hipkins, earning $54,000, was fortunate enough to purchase a home through Habitat for Humanity, benefiting from a 0% mortgage on a newly rehabbed property priced at $360,000.


Because of the persistent growth in housing disparity, Habitat now focuses on attainable housing advocacy just as much as building. Habitat has expanded its mission beyond building just single-family homes, now working on condos and apartments for a range of incomes. This has led Habitat to become the ninth-largest builder of starter homes in the United States. Vincent says that additional efforts are being made in advocacy for access to credit and land in "communities of opportunity."


The housing shortage is also a key economic issue for American voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.


The Local Housing Landscape

The situation is equally concerning here in Chester County. The 2023 Housing Report reveals that 27% of households must spend more than 30% of their income on housing, an indicator of an unsustainable living situation. This threshold is widely recognized as the maximum that should be spent on housing to maintain economic stability.


The median home sale price has soared to $492,000, with less than 8.5% of new homes selling for under $250,000. In 2023, only 462 homes sold for under $250,000, a decrease of 3.1% from the previous year. A household earning the area median income of $118,574 can afford a home priced around $350,000, yet only 23% of home sales were below this threshold.


An aerial photograph of a neighborhood.

This imbalance has left many essential workers, such as teachers, nurses, and service industry employees, unable to afford to live in the communities where they work. The median income for workers in these critical sectors is often $61,000 or less, which is insufficient to keep pace with rising housing costs.


Rising rent prices further complicate the issue. Chester County’s median rent hit $1,625 per month in 2022, marking a 44% increase over the past eight years. This rent is also significantly higher than rents in neighboring counties—by $240 to $330—making it harder for many to secure stable housing in the area.


Making Homeownership Attainable

A little girl poses in red t-shirt in front of plant.

At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, we are actively working to combat these challenges. Our developments, such as Fuller Meadows in West Grove and Cambria Terrace in Coatesville, provide affordable housing solutions to families in need.


  • Fuller Meadows: This development features 1,680 square foot homes with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s designed for families looking for spacious yet affordable options in a growing community.


  • Cambria Terrace: This development includes 3—to 4-bedroom homes ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 square feet, providing flexible living spaces for families of all sizes.


Applications for the next phases of these developments are open as of October 1, 2024. We encourage interested families to visit hfhcc.org/homeownership for more details and application instructions.


Advocating for Systemic Change

In addition to building homes, we are advocating for systemic changes that create more pathways to affordable housing. Collaboration with local stakeholders and planning commissions is essential.


 The Chester County Planning Commission has prioritized this issue in its long-range plan, “Landscapes,” which seeks to identify new funding sources, streamline regulatory processes, and facilitate the construction of affordable housing.


How You Can Help

Change begins with understanding the issues at hand. Here’s how you can get involved:


  1. Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the local housing crisis and its consequences. Knowledge is power, and understanding the landscape can drive meaningful conversations.


  1. Engage with Local Officials: Find out how your municipal leaders view the issue of affordable housing. Ask questions and express your concerns at town hall meetings or community forums.


  1. Stay Informed: Follow the agendas of your municipality’s Planning Commission for proposals related to attainable housing. Advocacy often begins at the local level.


  1. Support Advocates: Back candidates who prioritize affordable housing in their platforms. Your vote can influence policy changes that benefit our community.



The Home team provides a short document with facts, fixes, and actions to help others understand the need for more affordable housing and speak out. You can also share these videos on the issues and their impact. The Home Team also provides a 20-minute presentation and talking points so that anyone can take action with their local community.


The dream of homeownership is within reach, but it requires collective effort and advocacy. Join us in making Chester County a place where everyone can find a home they can afford. Together, we can build a future where all families have the opportunity to thrive in safe, stable housing. For more information on our housing developments and how you can get involved, visit hfhcc.org/homeownership. Let’s work together to turn the dream of homeownership into a reality for everyone in our community.

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