The Alliance for Health Equity is a philanthropic organization focused on advancing a more equitable, resilient, and healthy community for all residents of the Greater Coatesville area of Pennsylvania. Through our Community Voice Initiative, found here on our website, visitors can access data from our Community Report by category, including Health, Employment, Education, Well-Being, Economic Revitalization, and Housing.
WIth the cost of rent and mortgages steadily rising, the current Housing Report takes a deeper look at homeownership and rental rates in Coatesville compared to Chester County as a whole. To inform local residents and the public, we are shining a spotlight on some of our findings surrounding this issue area. To access the Housing Report in full, including maps and infographics, click here.
Homeownership
Homeownership among households in the Coatesville Area School District varies considerably, depending on the city and location. At the high end, Westwood has a homeownership rate of nearly 87%, while Modena has a homeownership rate below 25%. The City of Coatesville falls somewhere in the middle, with a homeownership rate of nearly 42% and a median home value of $122,300.
Comparatively, Chester County has a 75% home ownership rate, Pennsylvania has a 69% homeownership rate, and the United States has a 65% homeownership rate. According to Realtor.com, the median home value in Chester County at large is over $500,000, further highlighting the large housing market disparity within the region.
Renters
Rental occupancy also varies, depending on the city and location. Modena has a rental rate of nearly 75%, while Westwood has a rental rate of 13%. The City of Coatesville has a rental rate of nearly 59%. Comparatively, Chester County has a rental rate of 25%, while Pennsylvania’s is 31%. The United States has a rental rate of nearly 36%. Median rent in Coatesville is $1,265.
Addressing the Housing Issue
The Alliance for Health Equity is addressing the housing issue in Coatesville through a collective impact strategy and grantmaking efforts that focus on housing specifically. Examples include grants to the W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center, Inc. and the Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children through the Well Being Fund, an open funding opportunity for nonprofit and grassroots organizations to address Greater Coatesville’s most pressing community needs.
Additionally, on February 16, 2023, we discussed the housing strategy in Coatesville as part of our “Let’s Talk Allyship: Community-Designed Solutions” series, Jumpstart Coatesville, which can be viewed here. We also invite you to learn more about the Homeownership Project by Jacquilynn McClurkin (founder of Intentional Consulting, workforce development consultant, and homeless prevention case manager), focusing on housing for partnership opportunities and a workforce development plan, which can be found here. This impactful project seeks to remove barriers to homeownership in Coatesville, including financial literacy and employment initiatives to help residents achieve housing stability.
To learn more about our work at The Alliance for Health Equity, visit our website, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Alliance for Health Equity (formerly Brandywine Health Foundation) is a philanthropic organization striving to advance a more equitable, resilient and healthy community for all residents of the Greater Coatesville area. We pursue our mission by providing grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students that address health and economic disparities and social justice. We also build partnership programs and give voice to those often left out of community solution building to improve the overall health of their communities. 100% of contributions go directly to those in need.