PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council finally got the legislation needed for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s HOME initiative on Thursday. And it’s only slightly different than what she requested.
The mayor plans to issue $200 million in bonds to fund her plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing. She sent the proposed budget to Council President Kenyatta Johnson in September, but he waited more than a month to introduce it because his members wanted the administration to address some concerns, which he didn’t specify.
He says among the issues still to be ironed out is how much money will be earmarked for the lowest-income Philadelphians and how much can be spent on programs for people with slightly higher incomes.
He said that the process is continuing, but there has been progress, so he decided to introduce it.
“So it’s still continuing to be a fluid process as we move forward,” he said.
There are a few small changes to what Parker proposed. The money for Housing Preservation was reduced by $8 million, and Housing Production money increased by $5 million. Plus, there’s more money for aid to first-time homebuyers and for untangling titles that can lead to the loss of a family home.
Housing chair Jaime Gauthier says it’s not about locking anyone out of resources but recognizing that if the city doesn’t put the money into helping residents on the brink of homelessness, it will pay in other ways.
The administration said it’s pleased the budget was introduced and looks forward to continuing to work with council.