PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council will take up four bills aimed at making housing in the city more affordable.
Two bills introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau would help renters by capping application fees at $20 and limiting security deposits to no more than two months of rent, which can be paid in up to four installments.
“These bills are common-sense measures that will help renters without hurting landlords,” Landau said. “They remove unnecessary barriers to housing and ensure that hard-working Philadelphians can access the homes they deserve.”
Two other bills, introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, are aimed at increasing the supply of housing. One would require the Department of Licenses and Inspections and the Zoning Board of Adjustment to speed up approvals for affordable housing projects.
Another would eliminate the approval process for homeowners who want to add bonus units to rent. This would cover only four council districts, as the six others have restricted or banned bonus units outright, citing a number of concerns.
“I’m hopeful that there’ll be some more openness to it this time around,” she said.
Gauthier believes they have benefits: “Keep families in their homes and build new affordable units all in one go.”
The bills will get committee hearings before they are voted on.