Authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining the state of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation's Basic Systems Repair Program and its extensive backlog.

WHEREAS, The Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) provides free, major repairs of up to $18,000 for low-income Philadelphia homeowners whose income is no more than 150% of the federal poverty line, with an average repair valued at around $10,000; and

WHEREAS, The BSRP will repair the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems of any home, focusing on up to two at once, in order to improve the living conditions of lower-income Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, This work is invaluable in helping long-term Philadelphia residents overcome displacement, especially low income senior citizens, allowing for safe and livable home conditions and ensuring the overall health of the citizens of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The BSRP also maintains and improves the condition of an aging housing stock in the City of Philadelphia. The City contains old infrastructure that is prone to deterioration; and

WHEREAS, In FY 2013, the Basic Systems Repair Program reported that 1,754 homes were approved for repairs costing an estimated $17,540,00, but also reported that a backlog of 4,159 units remained with an estimated repair cost of $16,636,000; and

WHEREAS, In FY 2014, the Basic Systems Repair Program reported that 1,796 homes were approved for repairs costing an estimated $17,960,000, but also reported a backlog of 3,561 units requiring repairs with an estimated cost of $14,244,000; and

WHEREAS, The work currently being done to improve the homes of low-income Philadelphians is important, and a reevaluation of the Basic Systems Repair Program’s backlog is necessary; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia currently funds the Basic Systems Repair Program primarily through Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund grants, but the demand for the program exceeds the funding that is currently allotted; and

WHEREAS, An assessment of the backlog and financial needs of the Basic Systems Repair Program would result in the repair and improvement of the aging housing stock of the City of Philadelphia and its lower income citizens who are in need of home systems repair; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining the state of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation’s Basic Systems Repair Program and its extensive backlog.

End