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Veterans groups press city and state for action on homelessness, transparency and full tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans
Summary
Speakers representing veteran advocacy organizations urged Philadelphia and Pennsylvania lawmakers to prioritize veterans’ homelessness, transparency in funding, and a full property-tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans; one speaker said research shows a high share of homeless veterans in Philadelphia County are Black.
Multiple speakers used the Veterans Advisory Commission meeting to press for policy change and funding transparency on veteran homelessness and benefits.
Ora Witherspoon, a retired Army officer and retired Philadelphia police officer who said she founded a nonprofit called Oracle Healing, argued that neighboring states (New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) provide full property-tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans and that Pennsylvania is losing veterans who move across state lines for full relief. ‘‘We must implement a full property tax exemption for our 100% disabled veterans. Not tomorrow, not next year, now,’’ Witherspoon said.
A representative of the National Association of Black Veterans’ Philadelphia chapter (speaker identified in the transcript by role rather than name) presented research the speaker said shows a disproportionate burden of veteran homelessness among Black veterans in Philadelphia County. The speaker said their research found that ‘‘75% of homeless in the Philadelphia County are black veterans’’ and urged greater transparency of funding sources and accountability for programs that have not met veterans’ needs.
The same speaker noted two legislative platforms under discussion that affect veteran services in the region: VISN 4 oversight of Veterans Health Administration regional implementation, and an economic opportunity bill relevant to program funding. The speaker urged the commission to treat earned benefits as a priority and to scrutinize development of transitional housing projects to ensure veterans — not developers — benefit from programs intended to house veterans.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns. The director and others described ongoing outreach and said state bills addressing tax exemptions are under discussion in Harrisburg; no bill numbers or final votes were provided at the meeting.
Speakers asked the commission to press for clearer pathways for veteran organizations to acquire vacant properties at fair rates and to increase access to local funding and program information. The meeting produced no formal vote on the legislative asks; commissioners said they would follow up.
