Affordable housing at risk; Pa. lost the candy desk; Philly names youth ombudsperson | Morning roundup

Where affordable housing is most at risk across Philadelphia

After nearly two years of protests and lawsuits, the UC Townhomes saga appears to have a resolution. But the underlying issue is far from unique.

• Over 20% of Philadelphia’s federal housing subsidies expire over the next decade, and many are in neighborhoods where rising property values make it unlikely landlords will renew the contracts. 

The city has a Housing Action plan to mitigate displacement of families, reports former BP intern Emily White, who mapped out what areas are most at risk.

Pennsylvania has lost control of the Senate candy desk

Pat Toomey’s decision not to seek reelection last year had big political implications. But it also led to a smaller change:

• The loss of the Senate candy desk. Pennsylvania holds the record for most years in control of the sugar stash, established in the 1960s on the Republican side of the aisle and consistently stocked ever since.

That means no more Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews and Hershey’s Kisses for DC politicians, Asha Prihar reports — they’ve been replaced by treats from Indiana.

How do your views align with the candidates for Philly mayor? Pick your positions at phillymayorquiz.com and see which one is right for you.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled
• Authorities are still investigating how an Amtrak train just south of Philly struck and killed two children, aged 11 and 13, who may have been playing on the tracks. [6ABC/Inquirer$]

• What were the mayoral candidates saying about gun violence back on March 1? That’s when BP and WHYY News partnered with CeaseFirePA to host the 100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum, and highlights air on WHYY TV-12 tomorrow at 7 p.m. [Billy Penn]

• Also Tuesday night, the Mazzoni Center hosts a mayoral debate on LGBTQ issues. It’s free to attend, and will be broadcast on PCN. [Mazzoni] 

• Local activists, organizers, attorneys, and nonprofit workers convened last month to imagine better “housing futures” for Philadelphia. [Billy Penn]

• Attorney Tracie Johnson was named Philly’s first youth ombudsperson. She’ll receive and investigate concerns about child welfare, juvenile justice, and the city’s behavioral health system. [Phila Gov/Al Día]

• An empty, century-old PECO appliance showroom on North Broad is being redeveloped into a youth trade school offering a 2-year certification program. [Hidden City]

• Check out scenes from the 2023 Broad Street Run, where records were set and smiles abounded — despite the soaking rain. [Billy Penn]

MAYOR WATCH

Nothing on today’s public schedule for Mayor Kenney. Over the weekend he made a stop at Walnut Street West Library to celebrate the return of Saturday hours at 10 of 54 Free Library branches.

ON THE CALENDAR

⚾ Billy Penn Phillies tailgate! Join us and the crew from the Hittin’ Season podcast at Citizens Bank Park for an afternoon tailgate with free hoagies from Nipotina, pizza from Slice, and beer from Evil Genius, plus a chance to be on the pod. We’ll be in M-N, aka the Jetro lot. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there. (3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6)

🎂 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo — and local burrito joint El Merkury’s fifth birthday — with free churros, given away to the first 555 people to stop by the restaurant’s 21st and Chestnut location. (11 a.m. Friday, May 5)

🍺 If you’re not down at the ballpark with us, South Street Fest is the place to be, with a German beer garden from Brauhaus Schmitz, artist displays, live entertainment, a kids zone, Comic Book Day sales, and other attractions. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6)