Title
Creating the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. Legislative Findings.
Council finds that:
(1) There is a critical shortage of affordable and accessible housing in the City of Philadelphia.
(2) 130,000 households in Philadelphia have annual incomes below $20,000 and pay more than 30% of their income on housing. Researchers estimate that at least 60,000 more affordable housing units are needed to meet this need.
(3) Since the 1970's, rents have increased significantly faster than wages, resulting in households having increased difficulty affording housing in Philadelphia.
(4) Creating more affordable housing will improve the well-being of Philadelphia's children. Children who are homeless or do not have stable, safe, affordable housing are significantly more likely to have health problems, go hungry, and fall behind in school.
(5) In 2003, the Office of Housing and Community Development estimated that there are 65,300 disabled people with housing needs in Philadelphia.
(6) A lack of accessible housing options in the communities of their choice has often forced people with disabilities to live in segregated housing, nursing homes or other institutional settings. The average cost to keep a person in a nursing home in Pennsylvania is over $66,100, whereas the cost to provide the person with the same personal care services in their homes in the community is $41,732.
(7) In 2003, the shelter and street count of homeless persons rose by 13% compared to the previous year. The average cost of providing emergency shelter for a family of three was $21,600. The average homelessness prevention grant is $750.
(8) Many of our communities need assistance in order to begin or continue the process of neighborhood revitalization.
(9) Philadelph...
Click here for full text