As part of City Council’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget negotiations, City Council Mike Driscoll (6th District) introduced an amendment that gives the City Controller fiscal oversight of the Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $800 million Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Plan.
Under the legislation, the City Controller’s Office will conduct reviews of contracts, pre-audit reviews of expenditures, and audit H.O.M.E.-related expenditures. The City Controller will also have the right to observe invoicing vendors during H.O.M.E. construction activities, provided that such observation does not unreasonably interfere with the construction process.
“We must ensure that every tax dollar associated with the H.O.M.E. Plan is accounted for and achieves the mission of creating and preserving affordable housing,” said Driscoll. “Strong fiscal oversight is not just about balancing budgets — it’s about upholding the public’s trust, ensuring transparency, and making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and effectively.”
Driscoll continued, “The City Controller will act as our fiscal watchdog for this important program and provide the necessary oversight. We thank the City Controller’s Office for taking on this important role.”
Along with the City Controller’s existing authority to oversee all city revenues and expenditures, Councilmember Driscoll’s amendment will require the city to provide copies of its annual audited financial statements upon request to the City Controller to examine the accounts and records relating to the H.O.M.E. Plan. The Controller’s Office will be able to monitor all debt issuance associated with the program, given notice of upcoming Project bids along with a recap of past bids and the vendor selected, and each requisition is signed and submitted for payment.
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment, and we owe it to the people of Philadelphia to get it right,” Driscoll added. “Oversight is not about slowing things down – it’s about building trust, ensuring equity, and making sure this plan delivers on its promises.”
The Mayor’s H.O.M.E. Plan includes housing production and preservation, home affordability, homeowner and renter assistance, related contractor training and support, blight and vacant property reduction, urban beautification, neighborhood infrastructure, and other related programs
The fiscal oversight amendment will go into effect when City Council provides final approval of the budget bill scheduled for Thursday, June 12.
