Concerns regarding Mayor Cherelle Parker’s ambitious housing initiative, known as H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities Made Easy), arose during a recent City Council hearing. Several Council members voiced reservations about the mayor’s proposal to borrow $800 million to fund the program, which aims to address Philadelphia’s housing crisis.
During the hearing, City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas openly expressed his skepticism. “I fundamentally disagree with H.O.M.E., and I don’t know if there’s anything that you could say to convince me right now that this is the direction that the City of Philadelphia needs to go in as far as investing a billion dollars,” Thomas stated, underscoring a lack of confidence in the funding strategy.
The hearing was recessed without a preliminary vote but with plans for further discussions later that same day. The Parker administration is eager for H.O.M.E. to advance hand-in-hand with the municipal budget, which is required to be adopted by the end of the month. Negotiations regarding the budget and the proposal were reportedly ongoing late into the day.
City Council rules mandate that any legislative package be finalized by Thursday to facilitate a final vote on June 12— the last scheduled meeting before the summer break. Council President Kenyatta Johnson has expressed a desire to adhere to this timeline, although he holds the option of calling a special session if necessary.
The H.O.M.E. initiative represents one of Mayor Parker’s signature policies in her second year of office. The comprehensive plan aims to build or preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing over four years, utilizing various programs designed to help tenants, homeowners, developers, and potential buyers.
While borrowing $800 million is central to the initiative, it also plans to leverage $1 billion worth of publicly-owned land along with $200 million derived from various sources, including partnerships with labor unions and other community organizations.
During a marathon hearing filled with intense dialogue, Thomas and the city’s finance director, Rob Dubow, found themselves engaged in a heated exchange. “I’m not convinced that this is a good idea,” Thomas remarked during the session. “I’m not convinced that $400 million is a good idea, let alone $800 million is a good idea.”
As the discussion continued, some Council members hinted at being more receptive to a scaled-back approach—an initial bond issuance of $400 million could be considered, with the possibility of future funding contingent on the initiative’s success.
In response, Dubow maintained that the administration’s goal is to pass H.O.M.E. as an integrated plan. “There is a housing crisis in Philadelphia. I think everyone agrees with that,” he asserted. “We are proposing ways to attack that crisis.”
Despite his strong opposition, Thomas later clarified to reporters that he would not actively work to persuade his fellow lawmakers to vote against the H.O.M.E. legislation.
The proposed bond structure includes plans for borrowing $400 million this fall, followed by another $400 million in November 2027. Estimates indicate that the total cost to taxpayers could exceed $1.3 billion, which would include approximately $500 million in interest payments.
Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson challenged administration officials with detailed questions regarding prior large bond-funded projects, citing concerns over the practicality of such funding. “At no point, as a city, were we able to spend $400 million in two fiscal years. Why is there a rush on borrowing $800 million right away?”
Dubow addressed her concerns by assuring the lawmakers that the city would not issue the second bond until all funds from the first borrowing had been utilized.
Interestingly, despite the opposition from some Council members, Parker garnered support from progressive members of the Council, who typically do not align closely with her moderate stance. Jamie Gauthier and Rue Landau, while not officially part of the finance committee, attended the hearing to advocate for H.O.M.E. Gauthier stated, “I think we absolutely need this level of investment in housing in the city in order to make a dent in the housing crisis.”
Acknowledging diverging opinions with the mayor on other issues, Gauthier affirmed her support for the housing initiative, highlighting the urgent need for investment amid ongoing gentrification and displacement across neighborhoods.
In response to the growing skepticism and ongoing discussions, Mayor Parker took to social media in an effort to rally support for the H.O.M.E. initiative, emphasizing its critical importance for addressing Philadelphia’s housing crisis.
image source from：https://metrophiladelphia.com/parker-800-million-housing-plan-negotiations/
