PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson has issued a sharp rebuttal to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s contention that Council is delaying funding for her affordable housing program.
Council gave the program’s budget preliminary approval on Tuesday, but made several changes, including adding $80 million to the program’s budget and shifting more of the money to low-income residents.
Most of the new money went to the Turn the Key program, which helps first-time home-buyers. The new plan also lowered income limits to qualify, a victory The remainder was split between homelessness prevention, rent subsidies and affordable housing construction and preservation.
The mayor responded that the changes would delay the bond issue needed to fund the program and jeopardize existing housing programs.
Johnson said that wasn't true and that threatening to shut down housing programs “does not move the process forward.” He called for greater collaboration from the mayor, adding “Council’s responsibility is not to rubber-stamp legislation.”
Johnson’s statement was a departure from his usual stance, which has been mostly to accommodate the mayor’s wishes.