Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a housing legislation package aimed at “cutting red tape to speed up affordable housing production.”
According to information released by Gauthier’s office, the legislation will do the following:
Speed up the approval process for affordable housing developments.
- Compel the Department of Licenses and Inspection to review zoning permit applications for affordable housing projects on an expedited timeline of five business days.
- Compel the Department of Licenses and Inspection to review building permit applications for affordable housing projects on an expedited timeline of ten business days. L+I currently offers expedited review for some affordable housing projects within ten business days, but only when requested by a developer and “to the extent capacity permits.” This bill ensures affordable housing receives priority review every time.
- Enable affordable housing projects that require Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approval to receive an accelerated hearing date for no additional fee.
- Authorize the ZBA to make affordable housing commitments by developers a mandatory condition of their approval.
- Expand the definition of “Affordable Housing Project” to capture all projects that receive government financing or land or are protected via deed restricted or regulatory agreement. The City will certify that projects meet this definition.
Help families build generational wealth and remain in their homes by turning extra space into bonus units
- Allow bonus units “by right” in existing single-family homes in the abovementioned Council Districts.
- Allow an applicant to bypass ZBA review if their proposed bonus unit does not materially change the footprint of the existing structure.
- Keep the existing requirement that bonus units require a deed restriction confirming that the homeowner must live in the property.
- Remove restrictions related to minimum and maximum unit size.
- Permit bonus units in attached, detached, and semi-detached housing.
Landau Introduces Housing Legislation
Councilmember Rue Landau introduced two bills regarding housing; one that caps excessive application fees, and another reducing upfront security deposit costs.
The first is necessary, according to information provided by Landau’s office, because application fees in Philadelphia are “unregulated and can range from $50 to $200 per application-forcing renters to pay hundreds of dollars just to apply for housing they may never get.”
The bill would cap rental application fees at $20 or the actual cost of a background check, whichever is lower. The legislation also prevents landlords from charging multiple fees to the same tenant in the same year. Renters can provide their own background if it comes from an accredited agency.
The second bill aims to reduce upfront security deposit costs by limiting the amount landlords can charge to no more than two months rent as security deposit, hold more than a month’s rent after the first year, and must return deposits within 30 days of move-out. The bill also allows security deposits to be paid in four monthly installments.
Harrity Acknowledges National Poverty Month
Councilmember Jim Harrity introduced a resolution, “Honoring January as National Poverty in America Awareness Month and Recognizing the Severe Conditions of Poverty that Many Americans Experience Day-to-day.”
Citing US Census Bureau information, the resolution states that 11.1 percent of Americans are living in poverty, which amounts to 36.8 million people. The problem is more stark in Philadelphia, with nearly 22 percent of residents living below the poverty level, defined as individuals earning $15,060, two-person households making less than $20,440, and families of four earning less than $25,820.
Poverty in Philadelphia is the root cause of several other problems in Philadelphia, including crime and addiction. While the poverty rate has declined somewhat, bringing with it a corresponding reduction in crime, concerns are impending federal policies reducing assistance programs could lead to a sharp spike in poverty and associated issues.
Driscoll Calls for 311 Hearing
Councilmember Mike Driscoll introduced a resolution “authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold hearings regarding the operation of the Philadelphia 311 non-emergency hotline and its engagement with city departments.”
311, established in 2008, is a “non-emergency information and reporting hotline to address a variety of quality-of-life issues in the city.”
According to the resolution, the system has been criticized for long wait times and inconsistent responses.
Legislation Passed at Thursday’s Meeting of City Council
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3862 and 3864 Pennsgrove St and 1118 N 39th Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Amending Resolution No. 240834-A, which the Council adopted on December 19, 2024, entitled “Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and the Office of Prison Oversight and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia,” to make a technical correction.
Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 623R N. 55th Street, 5110 Harlan Street, 5122-24 Harlan Street, 2715 N. Dover Street, 2715 N. Dover Street, 2731 N. 29th Street, 2738 W. Silver Street, 2703 W. Sterner Street, 2714 W. Sterner Street, 2717 W. Sterner Street, 2627 W. Lehigh Avenue, 2629-31 W. Lehigh Avenue, 2623 W. Silver Street, 2726 W. Sterner Street, 2705 W. Sterner Street, 2710 W. Sterner Street, 2723 W. Sterner Street, 2731 W. Sterner Street, 2655 W. Silver Street, 2626 W. Silver Street, 2720 N. 28th Street, 2715 W. Sterner Street, 2749 W. Sterner Street, 2733 W. Sterner Street, 2647 W. Lehigh Avenue, 2711 W. Sterner Street, 2628 W. Silver Street, 2655 W. Seltzer Street, 2820 N. Newkirk Street, 2758 N. 28th Street, 2719 N. 29th Street, 2602 W. Sterner Street, and 2651 W. Silver Street in the Fourth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authoriz…
Condemning President Donald J. Trump for his selection of underqualified cabinet, subcabinet, and leadership nominees to further advance his Project 2025 agenda and undermine the integrity of American democracy, equity, human rights, and freedom.
Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post trial probation and parole sentences.
Recognizing the devastation caused by the wildfires to the Los Angeles community, the accelerating rate of climate change, and calling on the City of Philadelphia to provide the funding and resources necessary to fully update and implement human-centered climate mitigation and resilience plans.
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election; all under certain terms and conditions.
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