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

In a strategic move aimed at accelerating housing initiatives in Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has announced significant changes to the board of the Philadelphia Land Bank. The organization plays a pivotal role in managing the sale of city-owned land, a key component in supporting Parker’s ambitious housing goals that include her Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) plan. This initiative aims to develop or renovate 30,000 homes during her tenure.

As part of this overhaul, Herb Wetzel, the board’s inaugural chair, and board member Majeedah Rashid, who heads the Nicetown Community Development Corporation, have been asked to step down. Angela D. Brooks, the city’s chief housing officer, will take over as the new board chair. Earlier this year, Parker appointed Brooks to lead the H.O.M.E. initiative, which emphasizes the need for affordable housing for working and middle-class families within Philadelphia.

The shift comes amid criticisms regarding the Land Bank’s pace in facilitating housing projects, particularly under Parker’s Turn the Key program. This policy is designed to transfer city-owned land to developers to create affordable housing options. However, some projects have faced delays, with board members like Rashid advocating for community-oriented uses of the land, such as affordable housing and community gardens.

Alexander Balloon, who previously served on the board and is executive director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation, will replace Rashid. The implications of this board restructuring highlight a desire within Parker’s administration to push forward with pro-development strategies that align with her vision for Philadelphia’s housing landscape.

The Land Bank’s operations have been characterized by internal divisions, with competing priorities between factions supportive of nonprofit development and those favoring private-sector involvement. This discord has stymied progress on several Turn the Key proposals, which have been in limbo due to board disputes over prioritizing different types of development projects.

Brooks has defended the decisions made regarding the board, emphasizing that Wetzel’s previous performance should not overshadow the need for a more hands-on approach that aligns closely with the administration’s goals. She has committed to continuing to work with Wetzel in an advisory capacity within the H.O.M.E. initiative.

Beyond internal changes, the Land Bank faces external challenges as well, particularly the councilmanic prerogative, which imposes additional barriers to the swift execution of housing development plans. Even with the mayor’s support, several Turn the Key proposals have faltered due to lack of action from city council members.

As Parker’s administration focuses on enforcing housing development as a primary objective, there remain questions about how effectively the Land Bank can navigate both its internal dynamics and external political landscape. An upcoming operational assessment from the consulting firm Guidehouse is expected to shed light on the Land Bank’s performance and staffing needs, which some Council members have suggested require bolstering.

This comprehensive reevaluation of leadership and approach at the Land Bank marks a critical step in Philadelphia’s ongoing struggle to provide affordable housing solutions amid a complex web of political and operational challenges. It remains to be seen whether these changes will yield the desired outcomes in addressing the city’s housing shortages.

(Source: Media News Source)