Ballot Question #2

Should the Home Rule Charter be amended to increase the minimum amount that must be appropriated for spending on Housing Trust Fund purposes in the City’s operating budget each year?

VOTE YES!

And tell your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to vote yes too!

BACKGROUND

Philadelphia’s Zoning Code allows developers to build denser buildings if they make a “payment in lieu of providing affordable housing” to the City of Philadelphia. These payments are meant to go into the City of Philadelphia’s Housing Trust Fund, the primary local municipal funding source for affordable housing programs and projects.

However, these “payments in lieu” have never led to a proportionate increase in affordable housing resources. This means we are being cheated out of nearly $36 million in affordable housing benefits – enough for more than 1,800 homes – that we are entitled to by law!  

Neighbors are not getting the help they need to stay in or find safe, stable, and affordable housing. Many Philadelphians are also becoming distrustful of the zoning process because the City is not following through on its commitment to invest developer payments back into their communities.

On May 20th, Philadelphia voters can finally end this injustice by voting yes on Ballot Question #2 and creating a guaranteed funding stream to build and preserve more affordable homes in Philadelphia.

At our current pace, it will take over 200 years to build enough affordable housing. At a time when the federal government is driving up housing costs and taking away services for working families, City Council, housing advocates, experts, and community leaders all agree: make Philadelphia more affordable by voting YES on Ballot Question #2. 

IMPORTANT DATES

• May 5th: Last day to register to vote
• May 13th: Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
• May 20th: MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION, VOTE YES ON BALLOT QUESTION #2

RESOURCES

• Register to vote:https://vote.phila.gov/voting/registering-to-vote/
• Request a mail-in ballot: https://vote.phila.gov/voting/vote-by-mail/
• Find your polling place:https://vote.phila.gov/voting/election-day/where-is-my-polling-place/
• Sample ballot: https://vote.phila.gov/voting/voting-at-the-polls/sample-ballots/
• Bill No. 240061 (approved unanimously): https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6503233&GUID=EB1CCEE6-0F6E-4B41-92D8-C53D0C1E4AF0&Options=ID|Text|
• Resolution No. 240068 (approved unanimously): https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6503395&GUID=6382CA6A-DE0B-43F2-A6A0-DAA1194A48E3&Options=ID|Text|

Testimonials

"We are proud to stand behind any effort to increase affordable housing, especially in the neighborhoods that are experiencing the most market rate development. This ballot question will create a dedicated stream of funding for the Housing Trust Fund that will do just that.” - Walnut Hill Community Association

“As Ward Leader of the 27th ward in West Philadelphia, I understand the need for providing funds for repairs of our great housing stock, and support the proper funding to support that need.” - 27th Ward Democratic Leader

“It is no secret that Philadelphia is in desperate need of more affordable housing units. The current process is not nearly adequate enough to meet these needs in a reasonable timeframe. Increasing the minimum amount that the City must appropriate annually for spending on Housing Trust Fund purposes should help expedite construction of more affordable housing.” - Powelton Village Civic Association

"For too long resources intended for affordable housing have been diverted to other uses. A yes vote on Ballot Question #2 puts an end to this. It ensures that payments from developers when they opt against including affordability in their housing developments actually go to support affordable housing programs helping residents in need." - Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations

Paid for by the Council of the City of Philadelphia