Calling on Pennsylvania Senate to pass House Bill 639 which was approved with bi-partisan support by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in April of 2011.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund has become a vital tool in arresting the spread of blight and the creation of new housing opportunities for Philadelphia's most vulnerable citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund has provided financing for the construction or rehabilitation of 300 homes for first time homeowners and leveraged over $28,000,000 in other resources since the inception of the program for homeownership developments; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Housing Trust has provided financing for the construction or rehabilitation of 1,090 rental units for low and moderate income families and leveraged over $113,000,000 in other resources; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Housing Trust has provided funds for repairs to basic systems in owner-occupied homes and for modifications to homes occupied by the persons with disabilities in order to increase accessibility and allow them to remain in their homes. To date Housing Trust Fund resources have preserved or repaired 1,896 homes; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Housing Trust has provided emergency mortgage, rental or utility assistance that enables residents to remain in their homes when facing foreclosure or eviction. Short term rental assistance, along with support services; have assisted homeless families to transition from shelters to permanent housing. Housing Trust Fund resources have assisted 3,828 persons, comprising 1,459 households to stay in their homes or transition to new ones; and

WHEREAS, Over the past several years the Trust Fund's income has declined by almost 50% due to the recession. Income has dropped at the very time the demand for resources has increased and anticipated housing development resources from federal and state sources are being reduced or eliminated; and

WHEREAS, The passage of House Bill 639 will empower our local government to participate in solving many affordable housing problems faced by our citizens; now, therefore,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That this Council calls on the Pennsylvania Senate to pass House Bill 639.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk is directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, the Majority and Minority Chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Committee on Urban Affairs and to all members of the Senate delegation representing the City of Philadelphia as evidence of the this Council's support of this legislation.

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