Philadelphia housing plan raises concerns over low-income unit allocation

The Philadelphia City Council's Committee of the Whole convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss the city's budget, with a significant focus on housing initiatives. Council members expressed concerns regarding the allocation of funds in the proposed housing plan, particularly its impact on low-income households.

During the meeting, one council member highlighted the pressing need for investment in the most vulnerable populations, specifically those earning $30,000 or less annually. This demographic represents over 200,000 households in Philadelphia, yet only 9,000 of the proposed 30,000 housing units in the new plan are designated for individuals earning 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is approximately $31,000 or less. The council member emphasized that this allocation is disproportionately lower than what was targeted in the previous housing plan.

Concerns were raised about the potential backtracking on progress made under the previous housing strategy, which had seen the city outperform its goals. The council member called for clarity on how much of the total budget would specifically support housing needs for families and individuals earning 30% of AMI or less. They requested detailed information on which programs funded under the new plan would target these households.

The discussion also included a request for a comparison between the current housing plan and the 2018 plan, aiming to clarify differences and ensure that the council does not spend excessive time debating the merits of each plan.

As the budget hearing continues, the council is expected to seek further details on funding allocations and program targets to ensure that the needs of Philadelphia's low-income residents are adequately addressed.