Philadelphia City Council introduced legislation to approve Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s plan to issue $800 million in city bonds for her signature housing initiative — but not before adding an “oversight provision” giving lawmakers an increased role in how the money is spent. Parker and the council have about a week to finalize negotiations over a slew of high-profile measures — including the new city budget, wage and business tax rates, and Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E) initiative — before key committee meetings. The new legislation, which was introduced by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson, details a list of 28 programs that would be backed by the H.O.M.E. bonds, ranging from Turn the Key subsidies for home ownership to Basic System Repair, which provides grants for low-income homeowners who struggle to afford rehab costs for their houses.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/29/2025