Philly’s coronavirus response

Cash aid for renters? Philly revisits plan using lessons from COVID relief

In this model, the city funnels philanthropy to community-identified people in need.

Philly’s coronavirus response

Wolf extends deadline for millions in pandemic rent and mortgage relief, but will banks participate?

Legislation in Harrisburg aims to fix structural flaws in the state CARES Act programs.

Philly’s coronavirus response

Philly’s largest bank flip-flops on mortgage assistance, leaving homeowners hanging

Wells Fargo, which recently settled a predatory loan lawsuit, reversed a decision to pull out of Pa.’s CARES Act program.

Philly housing activists declare victory, say city will place properties in community land trust

How long will the encampments remain? Unclear.

Broke in Philly

How Philly’s affordable housing problem was 100 years in the making

A 1927 book details many of the same issues as a Pew report released this week.

Philly’s coronavirus response

Stimulus could heighten racial economic inequality, historians warn

Like the New Deal and G.I. Bill before it, the latest federal attempt to juice the economy will play out unevenly.

How faulty construction breaks up Philly families — and why the city can’t stop it

Some developers ignore permits, then keep on building.

Thousands of Philly homes head to foreclosure despite court system chaos

A judge denied an emergency request to halt scheduled sheriff's sales.

Why your Philly Airbnb might be in danger of collapsing

The online rental site doesn’t check for code violations — and has no plans to start.

Philly’s zoning code makes it extremely difficult to establish single-room residences, which are in demand from renters in need of affordable and accessible options

Broke is Listening

Why doesn’t Philadelphia have rent control like many other big cities?

We used to have it — and housing advocates are pushing for a return.

This year NoLibs is getting a coliving apartment building — where renters share a kitchen and bathroom with other tenants

Kenney: It was ‘irresponsible’ for Councilman Oh to call finance director ‘a criminal’

Tweet from @billy_penn

Broke in Philly

Philabundance is trying out the “food-plus” model — the org will continue to help relieve hunger, and now also team up with additional nonprofits to provide housing, job assistance and education

Three proposed bills to enhance protections and rights to affordable housing for low-income Philadelphians will be introduced at the next Council meeting this Thursday

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta is hosting a housing rights seminar at a North Philly church next week

Tweet from @RepKenyatta

This ‘tiny tower’ maximizes a very small lot in Brewerytown

Tweet from @billy_penn

Of the record 2,800 new housing units built in Greater Center City last year, 80 percent were rentals

To encourage middle-income homes, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority is offering help with construction loans

Grand opening for The Hamilton, a new mixed-used residential tower across from CCP, is set for Feb. 28