Funding for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s H.O.M.E. initiative postponed until 2024.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has set ambitious housing goals, pledging to construct or preserve 30,000 homes during her initial term in office. However, recent developments indicate that many of the initiatives required to meet this target will not commence until well into her four-year term.

This week, the Philadelphia City Council delayed a crucial piece of legislation necessary for the Parker administration to issue hundreds of millions of dollars in municipal bonds, a primary funding source for her Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative. This initiative aims to create and expand various housing programs throughout the city.

The delay arises as lawmakers engage in discussions to amend the proposed budget resolution, which designates 5 million for the first year of the H.O.M.E. program. Negotiations are ongoing to increase this budget and lower income eligibility requirements for some of the programs to prioritize aid for lower-income residents.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson recently canceled a hearing intended to advance this proposal, leaving many stakeholders concerned. He stated that it is critical to finalize the first-year spending plan, as this will influence future H.O.M.E. expenditures. He emphasized the importance of considering City Council members’ spending priorities in the final legislation.

The delay marks a notable moment of tension between Parker and Johnson, who have generally worked collaboratively since assuming office in January 2024. Their latest discord centers on how to balance the interests of various communities, with some Council members advocating for reduced income thresholds to assist the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Despite these setbacks, Parker remains steadfast in her commitment to her housing vision. She has continued to advocate for her goals even in unrelated meetings, often addressing the need to ensure that all communities are represented in redevelopment efforts. She criticized the notion of choosing between supporting poorer citizens and assisting those in the middle class, asserting that every neighborhood can benefit from the initiatives being proposed under H.O.M.E.

While the administration awaits bond issuance, it is actively seeking alternatives to progress toward Parker’s housing goals. Initiatives such as revitalizing the city Land Bank are being pursued to expedite the development of unoccupied city-owned lots into usable housing. Additionally, zoning reforms have been put in place to streamline the building process.

The potential infusion of approximately 0 million into housing programs is expected to serve as a cornerstone for Parker’s initiatives, with plans including the One Philly Mortgage program, designed to provide affordable fixed-rate loans to eligible homebuyers, and expansion of existing programs like the Basic Systems Repair Program, aimed at preventing displacement of low-income residents due to necessary home repairs.

As discussions continue and modifications to the legislation are deliberated upon, both the mayor’s office and City Council remain committed to ensuring that the H.O.M.E. program is equitable and effectively benefits Philadelphia’s residents.

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