Mayor Parker reorganizes Philadelphia Land Bank board to advance housing initiative.

Philadelphia’s Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is implementing significant changes to the board of the Philadelphia Land Bank, an entity responsible for managing city-owned land. The adjustments come in response to a perceived lack of progress in advancing the mayor’s housing agenda, particularly regarding the provision of affordable housing across the city.

As part of these changes, Parker has requested the resignation of Herb Wetzel, the board’s initial chair, and Majeedah Rashid, a member who leads the Nicetown Community Development Corporation. The Land Bank currently comprises 13 board members. Following this restructuring, Angela D. Brooks, the city’s chief housing officer, has been appointed as the new board chair. Parker had earlier tasked Brooks with spearheading the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative, aiming to construct or rehabilitate 30,000 homes during her administration.

The Turn The Key program, a cornerstone of Parker’s housing strategy, aims to facilitate the delivery of affordable homes to working and middle-class families by providing developers with accessible city-owned land. However, the program’s effectiveness has been hampered by delays and contention among board members, who are split between those favoring private sector engagement and those prioritizing affordable housing initiatives.

In addition to Brooks’s appointment, Alexander Balloon will replace Rashid on the board. Balloon previously served on the Land Bank board and is currently the executive director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation. His experience with facilitating the productive use of vacant city-owned land aligns with the administration’s goals.

Parker has underscored the importance of a dynamic Land Bank in achieving the goals set forth in the H.O.M.E. initiative. However, the board’s internal divisions over land use—between advocating for affordable housing versus commercial development—underscore the challenges in realizing these objectives. Despite progress in producing units through the Turn The Key program, concerns remain that many homes may still be inaccessible to low-income Philadelphians.

Wetzel, who has been involved in municipal housing policies for many years, has been praised by Parker for his contributions. Still, internal frustrations within Parker’s team have led to his replacement, as the administration seeks to expedite the Board’s operations.

Frequent board stalemates and the requirements of councilmanic prerogative further complicate the Land Bank’s function, often delaying or derailing potential housing projects. This situation has prompted calls from the City Council for a comprehensive review of the Land Bank to enhance its efficacy and streamline its operations, with findings expected from a consultant group soon.

Overall, the adjustments to the Philadelphia Land Bank signify a strategic shift aimed at overcoming barriers to affordable housing development, reflecting both the urgency of the city’s housing needs and the complexities of municipal governance.