Authorizing the City Council Committee on Aging to hold public hearings examining solutions to prevent the ongoing displacement of senior citizens with fixed incomes due to rising rental costs.

WHEREAS, Nearly half of all Philadelphians are renters, with the City’s rental rate rising to 48% in the past few years; and

WHEREAS, According to the Mayor’s Commission on Aging, as of November 28, 2016, Philadelphia had approximately 86,000 households being rented where the head of household is 55 years of age or older; and

WHEREAS, Many older Philadelphians are living on fixed incomes in areas of the City that are undergoing rapid gentrification, resulting in rent prices reaching figures that cannot be afforded by the renter, and ultimately, the renter’s displacement; and

WHEREAS, Even rental buildings designed specifically for senior citizens are unaffordable to those seniors who do not qualify for subsidized affordable housing. Many senior

living facilities, assisted-living facilities, or continuing care retirement communities have rents upwards of $1,000 per month; and

WHEREAS, As many senior citizens are living on fixed incomes, provided by Social Security, pension plans, and disability benefits, there is a cap that they are able to spend on rental housing. Despite this, seniors still face the real possibility of having their rent increased at the point of renewing a lease; and

WHEREAS; It is incumbent upon Philadelphia City Council to ensure that our senior citizen population has stable and affordable housing, and these issues should be examined by the members of the City Council Committee on Aging to ensure that adequate solutions are provided

;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the City Council Committee on Aging to hold public hearings examining solutions to prevent the ongoing displacement of senior citizens with fixed incomes due to rising rental costs.

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