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Philly keeps undercounting youth experiencing homelessness

Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services is expected to soon release its annual “point in time” count of people living on the streets.

• People 18 to 24 are habitually undercounted, advocates say, because they’ll often turn to couch-surfing and try to avoid adult shelters. Meanwhile, targeted services for these hundreds of youth are lacking.

The youth homeless count used to be conducted by an outside agency, reports Steve Volk, but the city took over — and its method is raising questions.

New city unit could make fixing potholes (and sidewalks) faster

Frustrated with city roadways and sidewalks? The Streets Department is creating a new 13-person unit that’ll help fix them faster.

• The new crew will focus on upgrading curb ramps to be ADA-compliant, a prereq for paving potholes that also makes sidewalks more accessible. The plan calls for 1,500 ramps to get fixed this year.

That number makes up a fraction of the over 70k ramps that need updating, Jordan Levy reports, but the in-house team should also help cut costs in half.

March On: The Fight for Pride

New podcast by Billy Penn reporter Michaela Winberg
Out now: Trailer | Next up: Episode 1, May 26

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• A recount looms in the race for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate from Pa., with Mehmet Oz holding a 900-something vote lead over Dave McCormick. The McCormick campaign filed suit to compel counties to count mail ballots submitted on time, but without a date written on the outside. The state and national GOP orgs are backing Oz on this. [NBC News/Wash Examiner/AP]
• With COVID case counts in the city up more than 60% since two weeks ago, the Philly School District has reinstated its universal mask mandate for students, teachers, and staff. [Billy Penn/Phila SD]
• There’s a plan moving through Philly government to end prison gerrymandering by counting 7,800 incarcerated people at their last known address. [Inquirer$]
• Odunde is back after two years off, with a week of events leading up to what’s known as the country’s largest African American street festival. [Visit Philly/Odunde]
• If you’re keeping track, Philadelphian Ryan Long won again on Jeopardy last night, his sixth victory. [Jeopardy]
• Barstool Sports created a ghost kitchen app that lets you order cheesesteaks from random restaurants around the county.  [Liberty Line]
• As is tradition in Philadelphia, people braved the weekend heat to shimmy up a greased pole in the Italian Market for fame and glory. [Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

After a year of virtual school, shifting mask mandates, and triumph, it’s the start of graduation season for the School District of Philadelphia’s seniors. Mayor Kenney congratulates the class of ’22 alongside district representatives and educators during the Our Class, Our Future celebration at the Dell Music Center. (11:25 a.m.)

ON THE CALENDAR

🎸 Bands supporting Billy Penn: We’re emceeing a music show at The Fire, the woman-owned indie music venue and bar on Girard Avenue. Come hang at our table as you check out local bands with sounds ranging from blues-rock to surf-goth. Tickets are $15, and a portion of sales benefit BP’s journalism. (8 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday, June 1)

🍭 The Northern Liberties Night Market takes over North 2nd Street with dozens of food trucks, vendors, cafes, live music, and street performers. (5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 26)

🎥 Brought to you by cinéSPEAK, Under the Stars in Clark Park is back — this time with a free screening of “Prince’s Sign O’ The Times,” a high energy concert film featuring none other than the High Priest of Pop. (7:30 p.m. Friday, May 27)