Housing Committee Hears Testimony on Vouchers
The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless heard testimony legislation that would clarify protections against housing discrimination for housing assistance program participants, particularly those using housing vouchers.
Housing vouchers are provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. However, due to a stigma around the acceptance of vouchers, various landlords throughout the city will not accept them, leaving roughly a third of voucher holders unable to utilize the program.
Read More
According to Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, chair of the Housing Committee, some Philadelphia landlords have refused vouchers in contravention of existing laws.
“Philadelphia landlords overwhelmingly ignore the law and openly discriminate against voucher holders, preventing our neighbors from accessing the safe, stable and affordable homes that are crucial for a successful life,” Gauthier said.
Mimi McKenzie, the Legal Director at the Public Interest Law Center, said 54% of Philadelphia renters are cost burdened.
”This means they pay at least 30% of their income in housing costs,” McKenzie said. “The problem is most acute for renters with incomes below $30,000 per year, 88% of whom are cost burdened. 68% are severely cost burdened, means they spend at least 50% of their income on their rent.”
McKenzie said there are nearly 20,000 voucher holders in Philadelphia, 84% of whom are Black, and 70% of whom earn less than $20,000 per year. According to a recent study cited by McKenize, 67% of Philadelphia landlords refused to accept vouchers. Compounding the matter is those unjustly denied rarely seek a legal remedy to the issue.
Landau Introduces LGTBQ Resolutions
Councilmember Rue Landau introduced resolutions declaring June LGTBQ Pride Month in Philadelphia, requesting hearings on LGTBQ equity, and Declaring the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of Transgender people.
The first resolution, declaring June LGTBQ Pride Month in Philadelphia, makes mention of the historic advances members of the community have made in combating bigotry and homophobia. Mentioning Philadelphia’s first Gay Pride March, which took place at Rittenhouse Square on June 11th, 1972, the resolution praises the work of early pioneers such as Frank Kameny, Clark Polak, Barbar Gittings, and Kay Lahusen.
Read More
The second resolution authorizes the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community and exploring solutions to achieving equity for LGBTQ+ Philadelphians.
According to the resolution, inequities still exist in housing, mental and physical health care, public health, fair treatment in the criminal justice system, education, and other facets of life:
40% of homeless youth identify as LGTB+
21% of Transgender people report facing housing discrimination
10% of Transgender people experienced homelessness
26% of LGTBQ+ adults in Pennsylvania report not having enough money for food (compared to 13% of non-LGTBQ+ adults)
47% of LGTBQ+ have faced discrimination in the workplace
The third resolution declares the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of Transgender people.
The resolution makes the following pronouncements:
That it is does hereby declare the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of Transgender people;
That no City resources, including time spent by employees, officers, contractors, or subcontractors or other shall be used to enforce state or federal laws that infringe upon the rights of Transgender Philadelphians;
That no City resources shall be utilized for cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of lawful gender-affirming healthcare or gender-affirming mental healthcare performed in the state of Pennsylvania.
Public Safety Committee Adds to Hate Crimes Laws
The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on Bill No. 240280, which would “expand the scope of qualifying crimes” to include additional offenses.
The new language broadens the types of offenses against individuals to also include their businesses. Deputy Police Commissioner Fran Healy, who said the Police Department was in favor of the legislation, told council there had been an uptick in hate crimes.
Read More
Jason Holtzman, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, said Jewish business in the city had seen a significant increase in attacks over the last seven months.
“These incidents extend beyond mere acts of vandalism that constitute deliberate acts of intimidation aimed at our community,” Holtzman said.
Timothy Welbeck, a civil rights attorney representing the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Philadelphia, said businesses in Philadelphia had been the targets of hate crimes for supporting Palestinians in Gaza, relating the story of a business owner in Society Hill.
”Her business was not only repeatedly attacked, but she feels as though her livelihood was attacked…bringing forth a sense of intimidation and fear,” Welbeck said.
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
