Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties

Roundtable with Congressman Gerlach

On Monday, September 24, 2007, Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA- 6) joined members of the Home Builders Association of Chester & Delaware Counties to offer some insight on what is happening in Washington, D.C. as it relates to the home building industry. The breakfast meeting was presented by the HBA with many thanks to our host, the Dewey Companies, for graciously welcoming us into their facility.

In Washington, Congressman Gerlach serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure and the Financial Services Committees, both having potential impact on the development of residential construction. The Congressman specifically highlighted the recent legislation provides changes in FHA requirements by allowing a greater number of individuals to participate in the program. While this legislation overwhelmingly passed in Congress, it will still need the approval of the Senate.

Additionally, Congressman Gerlach emphasized the increasing demand across the state and country for infrastructure funding, highlighted by the tragedy in Minneapolis. However, he recognized the need for a plan to be developed to establish criteria to prioritize which states and projects receive federal funding.

 Congressman Gerlach has been working to secure funding to re-establish commuter rail service from Reading to Philadelphia through the Schuylkill Valley Metro passenger rail project. At this point, he informed the group that a private firm has been secured to investigate options for the formation of a public/private partnership. The Congressman will continue to champion this project in Washington and locally. 

Congressman Gerlach represents Pennsylvania’s 6th District, which includes portions of Chester, Berks, and Montgomery Counties. He has spent the last 15 years in public service, representing the citizens of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He began his role in public office in 1990, serving two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Pennsylvania Senate. Congressman Gerlach is currently serving in his third term in the United States Congress.