PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council has delayed a vote on the first phase of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $2 billion HOME initiative. Council held a five-hour hearing on the proposal on Wednesday and said it will continue the discussion on Monday.
Housing Committee Chair Jaime Gauthier held a morning news conference calling for more funding for the city’s lowest-income residents.
“This isn’t about locking anyone out of resources or pitting low-income households against moderate-income households,” Gauthier said.
"It’s about recognizing that if we don’t help families that are one rent increase away from homelessness, taxpayers will foot an even higher bill when they end up living on our streets."
Mayor Parker rejected Gauthier’s argument, saying her plan primarily serves the lowest-income residents, with 93% of beneficiaries earning below the area median income. She said the initiative also seeks to help moderate-income earners who are priced out of homeownership.
“We have to make sure our nurses, our teachers, our firefighters, our municipal workforce — if you work here, you should also have access to the American dream,” Parker said.
The hearing included debates between council members and city officials. Negotiations are expected to continue when the hearing reconvenes on Monday.