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Bill would exempt certain deed‑restricted homeownership programs from Mixed Income Neighborhood overlay requirements
Summary
Bill 250291 would amend the Mixed Income Neighborhood (MN) overlay to allow the Planning and Development Department to certify affordable homeownership programs with deed restrictions and ongoing affordability agreements up to 100% AMI, expanding eligible program income levels and supporting turn‑key homeownership products.
The Rules Committee received testimony June 5 on bill 250291, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier, which would amend section 14‑533 of the Philadelphia Code (Mixed Income Neighborhoods overlay) to exempt residential development under certified affordable homeownership programs from certain overlay requirements. Paula Brumbelow Burns, director of legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, said the amendment would allow the Department of Planning and Development to certify first‑time homebuyer programs, public land holding agencies and public housing finance agencies that accept households up to 100 percent of area median income (AMI) as meeting MN requirements when those programs include deed restrictions and agreements establishing ongoing affordability.
Brumbelow Burns said the proposed change would align with recommendations in the Philadelphia 2035 citywide plan to promote mixed‑income housing and transit‑oriented communities. She told the committee the change could be worded to change the current 60% AMI threshold to "up to 100% AMI" to allow inclusion of future deed‑restricted affordable homeownership products. The Planning Commission reviewed the bill and recommended approval with amendments at its public meeting.
Councilmember Curtis Jones asked how the administration planned to address existing service delivery backlogs—appraisals, contractor availability and other bottlenecks—if program income eligibility were expanded. Brumbelow Burns said those operational matters fall under the Department of Planning and Development and staff would provide more information to council offices. Councilmember Gauthier, sponsor of the bill, said during public comment that the change is "long overdue" and would help people who earn just above existing program thresholds access homeownership.
No committee vote was taken. The Commission will consider the bill at an upcoming public meeting and staff committed to follow up on program administration questions raised by councilmembers.
