Not long ago, we held an interesting debate here about Inclusionary Housing with some of us (including me) seeking a bill that directs most of the money to those with the lowest incomes in the city and others (including Ray) worried about the difficulties for those in the middle of the income scale.
The wonderful world of Philadelphia politics has brought us a compromise to please everyone.
The Philadelphia Coalition for Housing Justice has reached an agreement with Councilman Clarke on a an IH bill. We were concerned that Clarke’s bill would mainly serve middle class Philadelphians, rather than providing affordable housing for those who needed it most. But now Clarke has amended his bill require that half of the on-site units would sold or rented to families earning between 0 – 80% of AMI Clarke agreed that 50% of all on-site units should serve people between 0 – 80% of AMI. He also agreed that money generated from in-lieu payments would go to Housing Trust Fund. As the Housing Trust Fund ordinance requires that ½ of all the money serve people at 30% of AMI and below ($21,600 for a family of four), this means that half of all the money generated from his inclusionary housing ordinance will serve people truly in need by creating new affordable housing and by preserving, rehabilitating and / or providing subsidies for existing housing.
Clarke also agreed that the program would not take effect until adequate developer incentives have been approved The PCHJ has insisted that without developer incentives, IH would not lead to the new market development that supports affordable housing development.
There are two great chances for you to show our support for the new and improved Inclusionary Housing bill this week!
On Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Caucus Room at City Hall (Room 401) the PCHJ we will be holding a press conference with Councilman Clarke to announce our support for his amended bill.
On Thursday at 10:00 am, the PCHJ will be in City Hall Room 400 to show our support for the bill, which is expected to come up for a vote. All the members of City Council need to hear that you support the new bill.
I know some details are missing from the proposal. I’ll try to get them tomorrow and update further.