Title
Recognizing the work of land stewards and supporting transparency in land disposition and the long-term preservation of stewarded land in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, There are an estimated 40,000 vacant lots in the City of Philadelphia concentrated in low-income and diverse neighborhoods, many of which faced redlining by the Federal Housing Administration and less investment as a result; and
WHEREAS, When vacant lots aren't stewarded, they become abandoned spaces for trash, crime, and rodents, and make residents feel unsafe about their neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Land stewards invest significant time, energy, and resources into improving vacant lots and strengthening their surrounding neighborhoods, despite often lacking legal ownership of the land they steward, and when taxes on these properties remain unpaid, stewarded land may be abruptly lost through sheriff's sale; and
WHEREAS, Land stewards often face significant barriers in navigating the legal process to acquire ownership rights, including limited access to affordable legal assistance, which can leave community members vulnerable to being outmaneuvered by developers seeking to purchase long stewarded lots in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Cleaning and greening vacant lots reduces gun violence and neighborhood crime; combats flooding and hot summer temperatures; and increases property values without driving displacement; and
WHEREAS, An estimated ? of vacant lots in the City of Philadelphia are stewarded by community members and are used for side yards, gardens, playgrounds, gathering spaces, dog parks, memorials, chicken coops, and more; and
WHEREAS, Without ownership, they are at risk of displacement, especially in gentrifying neighborhoods. North Philly has lost 34% of its Black residents since 2000, and Norris Square has lost 13% of its Latino residents since 2013; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has responded positively in several ways, by creating the...
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