Since the start, the administration has been adamant about the H.O.M.E. initiative serving everyone who needs a roof over their head \u2014 from low-income renters to moderate-income homeowners.\n<\/p>\n
Administration officials reiterated that stance during their testimony Wednesday, emphasizing that working-class residents are also in need of city help. That includes rental assistance programs as well as efforts to mint new homebuyers.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our workforce in mind \u2026 we\u2019re thinking about the teachers, the therapists, the police officers, as well as folks like my grandfather who was in that deeply affordable that would benefit from this as well,\u201d said Tiffany Thurman, Parker\u2019s chief of staff. \u201cWe refuse to be pulled into a trap where we\u2019re having an argument that really is mute to what we\u2019re talking about today.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The administration added that the city lacks the necessary infrastructure to prioritize certain incomes within each program part of the mayor\u2019s housing plan.\n <\/p>\n
Prioritizing vulnerable Philly residents<\/p>\n
Thurman\u2019s sentiment echoes Parker\u2019s response<\/a> to a letter sent to her Monday<\/a> by a group of lawmakers regarding the initiative\u2019s first budget. The document, created in partnership with housing practitioners<\/a> in the city, urges the administration to focus on the city\u2019s most vulnerable and cost-burdened renters and homeowners, saying that it\u2019s the \u201cright thing to do, and the fiscally responsible thing too.\u201d\n<\/p>\n It also advocates for more funding for home preservation and rental assistance, building deeply affordable housing, and clearing program waitlists before income guidelines are expanded under the initiative.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t about locking anyone out of resources or pitting low-income households against moderate-income households. It\u2019s about recognizing that if we do not help families who are one rent increase or unexpected maintenance cost away from homelessness stay in their homes today, taxpayers will foot an even higher bill when they end up living on the street tomorrow,\u201d the group wrote.\n<\/p>\n The letter was signed by Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier, Rue Landau, Isaiah Thomas, Kendra Brooks, O\u2019Rourke, Mark Squilla, Jeffery Young and Quetcy Lozada.\n<\/p>\n The spending plan must be approved before the city can borrow the first chunk of funding for the initiative, which is backed by $800 million in bonds.\n<\/p>\n Finance Director Rob Dubow said Wednesday that if the resolution passes after next week, the bond issuance will \u201clikely slide into January at the earliest.\u201d\n<\/p>\n For now, Council\u2019s last regular meeting before the holiday break is Dec. 11.\n<\/p>\n Council will reconvene Monday for a second day of discussion, meaning the measure could receive preliminary approval then and receive a final vote on Thursday. That could come after council members adopt any proposed amendments to the legislation.\n<\/p>\n