Homestead Increases to $90,000
On behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a bill increasing the exclusion to $90,000, beginning in 2025.
With property reassessments due to come out in June, the first reassessment in three years, the city is preparing for steep increases in property values. In some neighborhoods, home assessments increased by as much as 80%, leaving older residents and those the lease available to absorb such an increase.
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The Office of Property Assessment has said they expect a more accurate reassessment process this year, but concerns remain as to how steep the upcoming increases will be.
It is crucial for Philadelphia homeowners to review their assessments as soon as they become available. They will be mailed out in June, and appeals are due in the fall. If you are appealing, you should do so as soon as possible
Jones Calls for Parent University Hearing
Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a resolution “authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold public hearings to examine, understand, and unveil the resources website developed as a result of theParent University 2.0.”
The Parent University 2.0 event was held on February 24th 2024 at the School of the Future, located at 4021 Parkside Avenue, according to the resolution. The intention of the event was to “inform parents, educations, and community members about available resources to aid families and children.”
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The resolution mentions collaboration with Katrina Pratt-Roebuck, who has developed a resource directory called “Uplifme,” which as enabled Parent University 2.0 to create an accessible platform by which to share resources.
Young Seeks Subpoena Power in Upcoming Hearing
Councilmember Jay Young introduced a resolution “authorizing the Council of the City of Philadelphia to hold hearings not he use and occupancy of 2100 W. Girard Avenue by the City of Philadelphia and it’s contractors and furtherance of such investigation, authorizing the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of Parker Administration officials, including the Mayor and other such witnesses, and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.”
The resolution was introduced after Parker Administration officials did not attend a hearing of the City Council Committee on Public Works, instead offering written testimony.
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After Thursday’s Council meeting, Young said he believed the resolution was necessary in order to provide transparency to his constituents.
“We are still looking for information on what the exact services (will be) at the site,” Young said. “We understand there are some services being provided now, and we are just looking for clarity on those expanded services.”
Rules Committee Considers Charter Change
Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Rules heard testimony on legislation that would establish the Office of the Homeless Services Ombudsperson, which would require a change to the city charter via ballot referendum.
Citing the ongoing issues with the the Office of Homeless Services overspending and complaints about the quality of service those in the shelter system were receiving, Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced the charter change legislation to provide Philadelphians with a “permanent place where residents can turn for information, confidential reporting, and dispute resolution.”
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Harrowing testimony was offered by people experiencing homelessness who currently and recently have made use of city shelters, including claims of retaliation for those how criticized conditions or otherwise spoke out regarding service they have received.
Hall Monitor will provide more coverage of this and other committee hearings from the previous week on next week’s television program.
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