PHILADELPHIA – City Council Housing Committee Chair Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) and Vice Chair Rue Landau (At-Large) issued the following statement on City Council’s Finance Committee approving a $800 million bond to fund affordable housing programs through Mayor Parker’s H.O.M.E. Initiative. Now that it has received approval in committee, the bond will be voted on by the entire Council next week.
“We applaud Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Mayor Parker for recognizing the urgency of our housing crisis and committing $800 million to address it. We also thank the Council President for ensuring City Council and the public have a say in how these funds are spent.”
“As leaders of City Council’s Housing Committee, we look forward to working with Council President Johnson, Mayor Parker, and our colleagues to build and preserve safe, stable, and affordable housing – especially for those most burdened by this crisis.
“Today, half of renters and a third of homeowners in our city are forced to choose between housing and essentials like food, medicine, or clothing. If we’re serious about lasting change, we must start with the Philadelphians most in need. That’s why we will advocate for Council to use its oversight role to ensure that this historic investment strengthens proven programs that help low-income families remain in their homes and catalyzes investment in transformative initiatives that will build and preserve deeply and permanently affordable housing in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
“More than 200,000 residents earning under $30,000 a year are one missed paycheck or unexpected maintenance issue away from slipping into homelessness. This investment will prevent that from happening. We’re letting residents know now –help is on the way.”
# # #
