Title
Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the establishment of a Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Commission has operated for decades at the discretion of the Mayor of Philadelphia and performs significant functions for the residents of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Council has determined that it will be beneficial to assure the continuation of the Commission by codifying it as an independent commission under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter; and
WHEREAS, Under Section 6 of the First Class City Home Rule Act (53 P.S. §13106), an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter may be proposed by a resolution of the Council of the City of Philadelphia adopted with the concurrence of two-thirds of its elected members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the following amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter is hereby proposed and shall be submitted to the electors of the City on an election date designated by ordinance:
Italics indicates matter added to the Charter by these amendments.
Strikethrough indicates matter deleted from the Charter by these amendments.
ARTICLE III - EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH -ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1
OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER AGENCIES
§3-100. Executive and Administrative Officers, Departments, Boards, Commissions and Agencies Designated.
The executive and administrative work of the City shall be performed by:
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(e) The following independent boards and commissions, which, except for the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia, are hereby created:
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Commission on Human Relations;
Fair Housing Commission;
Board of Trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia;
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CHAPTER 8
INDEPENDENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
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§3-800. Reserved. Fair Housing Commission.
The Fair Housing Commission shall be composed of five members.
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ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH - POWERS AND DUTIES
The Mayor, The City Representative and Departments, Boards, Commissions and Offices under the Mayor
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CHAPTER 26
FAIR HOUSING COMMISSION
§4-2600. Powers and Duties.
(a) The Fair Housing Commission shall administer and enforce all statutes and ordinances concerning unfair rental practices, and such other statutes, ordinances, or other matters concerning the landlord and tenant relationship as determined by ordinance.
(b) The Fair Housing Commission shall receive and may investigate complaints of, and may initiate its own investigations of, unfair rental practices and such other matters concerning the landlord and tenant relationship as the Commission determines is appropriate. The Commission may hold public hearings for such purposes and make public its findings.
(c) The Fair Housing Commission may hold adjudicatory hearings and issue factual and legal findings as the Commission determines may be appropriate for such purposes.
(d) The Fair Housing Commission may institute and conduct educational programs to promote fair housing practices in the City of Philadelphia.
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CHAPTER A-2
§ A-200. Schedule.
This charter shall become effective on the first Monday of January, 1952, except in the following particulars:
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(*) The amendments to this charter establishing the Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission shall take effect July 1, 2022.
End