PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is undertaking what may be her most ambitious challenge yet. During a State of the City address at Temple University on Friday, she said she would work to end street homelessness.
“We are calling this our One Philly Plan to end street homelessness,” Parker said.
Parker has not shrunken from hard tasks. She pledged to restore order to Kensington, make housing in the city affordable, and now to provide 1,000 additional shelter beds.
“We are seeking long-term solutions with more beds in safe, clean and welcoming environments,” she said. Parker stressed the beds were not a stopgap for the winter months but would be permanent additions to the current 2,800 beds the city contracts for.
Parker signed an executive order pledging more outreach, more wrap-around services and more permanent supportive housing. It was the grand finale to a two-hour-plus extravaganza highlighting the administration’s accomplishments in 2025.
She reported progress on public safety, clean streets and economic development, but she couldn’t claim victory yet on affordable housing as she’s locked in a struggle with City Council about how the money will be spent.
Council has passed a bill directing most of the money to low-income residents, but Parker indicated she’ll hold out for more spending on moderate-income earners.
“When I knocked on their doors and asked for their vote, we didn’t ask them to wait; we asked them to come and vote. And now I’m gonna say I’m going to develop a plan where I’m not going to include you? That’s not who I am, and I won’t do it,” she said.