Last month, Mayor Cherelle Parker laid out a $2 billion housing plan, describing the effort as the “largest single investment in housing in Philadelphia’s history.”
The complex budget — known as the Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E. Initiative — includes plans to create new affordable housing units while preserving others, as well as assistance programs for both homeowners and renters across Philadelphia, among other initiatives.
To help Philadelphians track the mayor’s progress, Philly Stat 360 — a new city department that works as a data aggregator — has launched a housing dashboard.
The dashboard tracks the total number of rental units and affordable housing units currently available in Philadelphia. It also shows participation in the city’s programs designed to help low- and middle-income Philadelphians stay in their homes, including the Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) and the Adaptive Modification Program (AMP).
“The Mayor’s H.O.M.E. plan brings together many city agencies and offices working towards a common goal of improving housing in Philadelphia,” said Kristin Bray, Director of Philly Stat 360, in a statement. “The new housing dashboard shows that collaborative nature, offering Philadelphians a central website to show progress on the mayor’s goal of preserving, restoring, and building 30,000 units of housing.”
According to the Mayor’s Office, the housing dashboard will highlight behind-the-scenes initiatives such as the Tangled Title program. This program helps long-time residents who have cared for a home but aren’t listed on the deed to gain legal ownership. It also improves the city’s property records, reduces the risk of deed fraud, and helps residents qualify for mortgages.
“The H.O.M.E. plan is a data-driven strategy designed to address our city’s most pressing housing challenges. It will create opportunities for growth, stability, and wealth-building across all neighborhoods and income levels,” said Jessie Lawrence, Director of Planning and Development. “Philadelphians deserve access to a lens that demonstrate the outcomes of our progress.”
“The H.O.M.E. Initiative is a game-changer for Philadelphia,” added Angela D. Brooks, FAICP, Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer. “This initiative ensures that no matter your financial situation, you have access to safe, quality housing in our city.”
