L&I Faces Funding Shortfalls and High Workloads, Critical for Mayor Parker’s Affordable Housing Strategy

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is actively promoting her ambitious initiative, a billion plan designed to create or refurbish 30,000 homes across the city. However, the project’s execution hinges significantly on the performance of the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), which faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its transparency and operational efficiency.

The success of Parker’s affordable housing initiative is contingent upon the department’s ability to provide clear insights and demonstrate enhanced effectiveness. For decades, L&I has been tasked with a fundamental responsibility—overseeing local businesses and property inspections. Unfortunately, the department has struggled to meet the benchmarks expected by Philadelphia residents. Historical issues of corruption, including incidents where inspectors were alleged to have accepted bribes, have long plagued the department’s reputation.

A particularly tragic incident in 2013 served to underscore L&I’s deficiencies. A botched demolition on Market Street resulted in a collapse that claimed the lives of six individuals. The inspector involved subsequently took his own life, citing the incident in his personal turmoil, while city officials maintained that they stood by his integrity.

In response to these events, Mayor Jim Kenney appointed David Perri to lead L&I in 2015, tasking him with a focus on transforming the department, eliminating corruption, and modernizing its processes. One change implemented by Perri was an overhaul of the tracking system for vacant and abandoned properties. Previously, inspectors relied on rudimentary “windshield surveys,” which lacked accuracy and effectiveness. The department has since collaborated with the city’s Office of Innovation and Technology, utilizing data from various city departments to improve the accuracy of vacancy tracking.

Despite these advancements, the database for tracking vacant properties was unexpectedly taken down for a period of 16 months. Nissim Liebovits, the founder of Clean and Green Philly, noted that even prior to its removal, the database contained far fewer properties than anticipated. As the data is restored on the city’s Open Data portal, questions remain regarding the reasons behind its absence and the discrepancies in the reported figures.

L&I also grapples with staffing shortages and political pressures. While capable inspectors have joined the department post-2013, many have departed due to external pressures. Reports indicate a troubling pattern where inspectors reported being instructed to overlook violations from larger developers while being urged to take harsh action against smaller entities.

A report from the city controller earlier this year criticized L&I for inadequate enforcement of building regulations, reporting that many construction crews operate without the necessary licenses or permits. Alarmingly, some contractors with histories of misconduct have continued work simply by changing their business names, highlighting systemic issues within the department that could hinder the city’s construction goals.

To fulfill its commitment to a higher rate of housing construction, Philadelphia must address the challenges facing L&I. Mayor Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson have a vital opportunity to collaborate in providing adequate resources, restoring transparency, and protecting inspectors from political influences that compromise their ability to perform their duties effectively.

The long-term success of Parker’s vision for Philadelphia as America’s “cleanest, greenest, and safest city” hinges on the trust residents place in L&I. Only through systemic improvements can the city hope to achieve its ambitious housing goals while ensuring public safety and accountability.