Homeownership
A Dream Still Vanishing?

Homeownership

Product No.: 01013
Date Published: 04/2001

View/Download PDF

If you would like to request a printed copy (or copies) of this product, please call DVRPC at 215-592-1800 or email the staff contact listed below. If you would like to request this publication or portion of this publication in another language or format, please fill out a request form.

Difficulties in securing sound, affordable housing in accessible locations continue to affect moderate and median income households. In a 1990 report entitled Homeownership: A Vanishing Dream, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) undertook an assessment of housing affordability in the Delaware Valley, focusing specifically on the ability of a median income family to purchase a median-priced housing unit in each of the region's 353 municipalities. The current study updates DVRPC's 1990 housing affordability assessment using 1998 housing and tax data. Unlike the first study, the report also considers housing affordability for first-time homebuyers and for families who already own a home but are considering relocating, in addition to median-income families.

Geographic Area Covered: The nine-county DVRPC region, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania and burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties in New Jersey.

Key Words: homeownership, housing affordability index, affordability gap, median-income buyers, first-time homebuyers, repeat homebuyers, COAH

Staff Contact(s)

Translation Request

DVRPC’s publications or portions of publications can be translated in alternative languages and formats if requested. To request translation, please submit the form below. You can also contact DVRPC’s Office of Communications & Engagement at 215-592-1800 or public_affairs@dvrpc.org.

Title VI Statement

In effect as of January 30, 2025

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related nondiscrimination mandates in all programs and activities. DVRPC is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, all programs and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or income level, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other related nondiscrimination mandates.

DVRPC's website, www.dvrpc.org, may be translated into multiple languages. Publications and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. DVRPC’s public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities and in transit-accessible locations whenever possible. DVRPC will work to accommodate all reasonable requests for translation, interpretation, accommodations or other auxiliary services and encourages that requests be made at least seven days prior to a public meeting. Requests can be made by contacting the Commission’s ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins via email at public_affairs@dvrpc.org, calling (215) 592-1800, or while registering for an upcoming meeting.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by DVRPC under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with DVRPC's ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins and/or the appropriate state or federal agency within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of DVRPC is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Shoshana Akins as well. For more information on DVRPC's Title VI program or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, please visit: www.dvrpc.org/GetInvolved/TitleVI, call (215) 592-1800, or email public_affairs@dvrpc.org.

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District