Philadelphia voters will consider three ballot measures during this year’s primary election. One is designed to increase the city’s supply of affordable housing amid an ongoing crisis. The measure effectively seeks to close a loophole created by the Mixed-Income Housing Bonus program, which enables real estate developers to increase the density of certain projects beyond the base zoning by either building price-restricted affordable housing or making a payment to the Housing Trust Fund “in lieu” of building those units. If the measure is passed, the city would be required to put 100% of those payments into the fund, which is used to help create and preserve affordable housing. At the moment, the city is free to use those funds as they see fit, and the money is routinely used for other budget items. Read more at PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 5/2/2025