Title
Authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to hold joint hearings with the Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs, to examine the City's role in ensuring the accessibility of housing to persons with disabilities.
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WHEREAS, In 2016, 16% of all Philadelphians, roughly 246,000 people, had a physical, emotional, or cognitive disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That represents the highest rate among the nation's 10 largest cities. Moreover, the same data set indicates that about 22 percent of the city's poor were disabled. As the largest poor city, Philadelphia faces a massive challenge to provide these individuals with access to suitable housing; and
WHEREAS, Gun Violence has been a growing cause of physical disability within Philadelphia. Victims of gun violence often struggle with recovery, including long-term physical and psychological disability; and
WHEREAS, The number of individuals dealing with the lasting impacts of Gun Violence is skyrocketing. In 2020, there was a total of 1849 non-fatal shootings, making up 82% of all shootings in Philadelphia. So far in 2021, there have been 165 non-fatal shooting victims; and
WHEREAS, Survivors of gun violence face a unique set of challenges, both medical and financial. Survivors face an average of $46,632 in medical costs, according to the Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, the cost of making a home accessible to those with disabilities is astronomical. On average, building an accessible ramp can cost between $1,000-6,000. The average price for widening doorways is between $500-1000 per door. Remodeling a bathroom to make it accessible can cost up to $20,000.
WHEREAS, Given these challenges, it is essential that the City of Philadelphia systematically and intentionally do its part to ensure access by persons with disabilities to suitable housing; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City Council of Philadelphia authorizes t...
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