Millions across the United States face a daily battle in the form of the cost-of-living crisis. Many in Philadelphia are no exception. To help the City combat this crisis, Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke is hosting a launch event for his new initiative, “Affordable Philly Now.”
The initiative was created with the commitment to tackle the City’s affordability crisis by forming Philadelphia’s first “Cost of Living Task Force” and will be accompanied by a package of legislation that addresses the affordability of housing, transportation, and utilities in the city. The task force will be designed to bring together the voices of experts and the community. Together, the task force will work to identify and leverage solutions that will benefit Philadelphians.
The launch event, scheduled between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, will take place at LOVE Park (1501 JFK Boulevard) and will highlight the primary goals of the initiative and how those involved plan to execute it.
Supporting the event will be Councilmember O’Rourke, Councilmember Kendra Brooks, Vice President Antoine Little (AFSMCE District Council 33), Leslie Richards (Drexel U. Professor, Former General Manager and CEO of SEPTA), Pastor Rev. Gregory Edwards (POWER Interfaith), Pastor Rev. J. Christopher Barmore (Christian Tabernacle Church of PHL – COGIC), Gloria “Smooches” Cartagena Hart (Kensington Corridor Trust), Evan Ehlers (Founder and CEO of Sharing Excess), Brendan Corbalis, Esq. (Director of Legal Services, SeniorLAW Center) and Vikram Patel (Community Legal Services, Energy Unit).
Representatives from Sharing Excess, a locally founded nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity, will also be on-site as a part of the Grocery Giveaway, and the event will also include a free grocery distribution and performances by the St. Thomas Gospel Choir and West Powelton Steppers, demonstrating the power of song, solidarity, and community support to foster hope and meet everyday necessities.
Amid the constant rise of the cost of goods, the slashing of social services from the Trump Administration and SEPTA’s funding crisis, working families continue to struggle against the waves. Residents also have to battle the cost of housing, transit, utilities, and care increasing, which continue to burden working and middle-class families.
Through the “Affordable Philly Now” initiative, Councilmember O’Rourke aims to connect ongoing anti-poverty efforts to today’s pressures, to help City Council build a more affordable Philly.
