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Recognizing November 2025 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, In 1975, Villanova University became the first institution to observe Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, during the week preceding Thanksgiving. Since then, November has been recognized nationally as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, during which organizations come together to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving; and
WHEREAS, Food insecurity, the lack of access to enough food for a healthy and active life, is a pervasive issue that impacts the health and well-being of those who face it. Simply put, it’s when people are not able to afford the food they need. Hunger is a result of being food insecure. Food insecurity exists in every county in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Food insecurity is on the rise throughout the United States, a crisis that is exacerbated by the harmful cuts to the SNAP program and payment delays due to the federal government shutdown. According to Feeding America, more than 210,000 Philadelphians - 13.6% of the city’s residents - struggle with food insecurity; and
WHEREAS, Homelessness is increasing in Philadelphia and around the country. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more than 771,000 people were homeless on a single night in January 2024. Between 2023 and 2024 homelessness increased by 18.1 percent nationally; and
WHEREAS The Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services works with dozens of meal sites and organizations providing over two million nutritious meals to those experiencing hunger every year, and works with over 60 providers and organizations to help over 19,900 people who are facing a housing crisis. OHS offers prevention, diversion, emergency, temporary shelter, and long-term housing programs to avoid and assist unhoused Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, The National Low Income Housing Coalition cites the need for more than 260,000 more permanent supportive housing units to effectively end chronic street homelessness in the city and provide affordable rental homes for households earning less than 30% of the area median income in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, During November, organizations and advocates across Philadelphia, both inside and outside city government are holding events and sharing information to educate residents about hunger and homelessness and advocate for housing and food justice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes November 2025 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Bethesda Project, as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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