Proclaiming November 15-22, 2020, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Philadelphia and honoring organizations, advocates, and City workers for their work supporting Philadelphia's most vulnerable.

WHEREAS, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is recognized nationally every November; and

WHEREAS, About one in five Philadelphians face hunger or food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Homeless Services’ Food Access Unit works with dozens of meal sites and organizations providing over two million nutritious meals to those experiencing hunger every year; and

WHEREAS, Every year the Office of Homeless Services works with over 60 providers and organizations to help over 19,900 people who are facing a housing crisis; and

WHEREAS, Despite having the highest rate of poverty of any major U.S. city, Philadelphia also has the lowest rate of street homelessness; and

WHEREAS, In the face of federal cuts over several decades to affordable housing and homeless service programs, Philadelphia taxpayers have stepped in to help our City’s most vulnerable by providing local support to these vital programs; and

WHEREAS, Last year alone, the Office of Homeless Services was able to help 1,800 families avoid homelessness through prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, Since 2016, the Office of Homeless Services has added more than 400 permanent supportive housing units so that those with serious disabilities can move off the street or out of shelter and into a home; and

WHEREAS, While Philadelphia still needs about 2,500 more permanent supportive housing units to effectively end chronic street homelessness in the City, workers and advocates leverage what resources they do have to nonetheless make Philadelphia’s system one of the best in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Over the next week across Philadelphia, organizations and advocates both in and out of City government are holding events and providing information to educate and inform Philadelphia’s 1.5 million residents about the issues of hunger and homelessness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby proclaims November 15-22, 2020, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Philadelphia, and honors organizations, advocates, and City workers for their work supporting Philadelphia’s most vulnerable.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Office of Homeless Services as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia’s gratitude, admiration and recognition.

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