A Philadelphia couple's determination to stay in Passyunk Square led them to pursue a home that was not even listed yet, ultimately securing it with a $300,000 down payment drawn from the sale of their previous property. Their story is one of several unfolding across the city and region this week, as homebuyers, school district officials, and state leaders all grapple with questions of space, access, and affordability. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Shapiro has unveiled a new housing plan for Pennsylvania that includes renter protections, homebuyer support, and $1 billion earmarked for infrastructure investment.
- Catherine Wargo Roberts and her husband purchased their $725,000 Passyunk Square home with a $300,000 down payment, also investing in a rebuilt traditional South Philly vestibule she calls the best money she ever spent
- The School District of Philadelphia has proposed closing 20 schools over the next decade, co-locating six others, and modernizing 159 buildings across its portfolio of more than 300 properties, many over 75 years old
- Governor Josh Shapiro's new Pennsylvania housing plan includes protections for renters, homebuyer assistance programs, and $1 billion in infrastructure funding aimed at addressing the state's growing housing challenges
- In Lambertville, New Jersey, a couple transformed a long-neglected standalone home into a California modern inspired ranch house, completing two rounds of renovations that included moving the kitchen, expanding the footprint, and creating a dedicated adult wing
These stories reflect a Philadelphia region in active transition, where the decisions being made today around homeownership, school access, and housing policy will shape neighborhoods for generations to come. For buyers, sellers, and residents alike, staying informed has never mattered more.
By: Michaelle Bond | The Philadelphia Inquirer | February 19, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Ippolito for The Inquirer
