Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier will introduce a legislative package designed to protect low-income tenants and homeowners against displacement while providing more funding for affordable housing projects. Gauthier, one of the council’s most vocal housing advocates, hopes to help residents trying to rent on the private market through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, homeowners burdened by increased property taxes, and neighborhoods that desperately need affordable housing. The effort comes as the city continues to experience an affordable housing crisis compounded by historically high rents and mortgage rates, a reality Gauthier fears will make Philadelphia unaffordable for its most vulnerable residents if left unchecked. One bill would enable eligible residents to effectively freeze their property tax bills regardless of how much the tax rate or assessed property value increases. Under the measure, a single-person household must earn below $33,500 per year, or $41,500 for a couple, to apply. Gauthier will also introduce legislation that seeks to strengthen the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which prohibits landlords and property managers from discriminating against people based on “source of income,” including anyone who would pay with a housing voucher. Read more here.
Source: PlanPhilly; 2/1/2024