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Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
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June
16, 2006
Council to consider housing concept
City Council is going to take a look in the coming months at an idea intended to increase the supply of affordable housing in Philadelphia. The idea is known as inclusionary housing, and it's being pushed by the Philadelphia Campaign for Housing Justice - a coalition of labor, housing and community groups that held an organizational rally in Center City yesterday morning. |
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Later in the day, at Council's last meeting before its summer break, Councilman Darrell L. Clarke introduced a resolution calling for hearings on the concept, which is law in such cities as Boston, Denver, San Diego and San Francisco. Inclusionary housing ordinances typically apply to developers who get public subsidies (such as the city's 10-year real estate tax abatement) to build market-rate housing. The developers are required to set aside units for people of limited means or to contribute funds to build affordable housing on other sites. Clarke said that such legislation might be a way to help increase the supply of housing for people too poor to participate in the city's high-end housing boom but not poor enough to qualify for current housing subsidies. At the rally, Marc Stier, chairman of the Neighborhood Networks organization, made the case in these words: "Our city can't grow if only professionals and managers can live here. New businesses need workers to live here as well. If we create affordable housing that working families can afford, we will encourage economic growth, and everyone will benefit." When asked about the idea earlier this week, Mayor Street pointed out that some developers already help fund affordable housing projects on a voluntary basis. He said he was "willing to keep an open mind" about the prospect of making it mandatory that they do so. Contact staff writer Larry Eichel at 215-854-2415 or leichel@phillynews.com. |
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