Here's what we're reading this week about the projects, people and policies driving local development:
PlanPhilly: A retrospective: What passed muster with City Council, and what didn't
6/28/18, Jake Blumgart
Now that the Spring Council session has recessed, PlanPhilly’s Jake Blumgart provides a summary of Council bills they have covered.
Philly 3.0 sums up the recent round of bills related to housing costs in Philadelphia, starting with the construction privilege tax, as Council winds up its spring session, wondering why they are crafting “solutions” before the problems are defined.
NextCity: Hard Fought Construction Tax in Philly Takes Unexpected Turn
6/25/18, Jared Brey
Housing advocates are among the ones most displeased with the compromises crafted by the Council President to garner “middle neighborhood” Council votes.
PlanPhilly: 81 new tax-free sites OK'd by City Council committee
6/20/18, Jake Blumgart
City Council approved 81 Keystone Opportunity Zones, pending State approval of any or all of them.
City & State: Philly Council adjourns: Construction tax, squatting, immigrants
6/21/18, Ryan Briggs
Council’s last session before their 12 week summer recess was a marathon of bill passage, including a few tight votes, and a bill was introduced to extend real estate tax relief for seniors who own cooperative apartments.
WHYY: Philly offers affordable housing to help parents regain custody of kids in foster care
6/27/18, Nina Feldman
In a first-in-the-nation program, Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services is providing housing subsidies to prioritize stable, quality housing for parents where housing stability is the final hurdle to reunify families.
PlanPhilly: Task force wants mediation to prevent evictions in Philadelphia
6/26/18, Tom McDonald
Philadelphia’s Eviction Task Force announces findings, and rolls out its report (posted elsewhere on our website), including recommendations for short term subsidies, subsidies for security deposits and low-interest loans for small landlords (owning 1-4 units).