Double The Housing Trust Fund
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PACDC achieved a victory in our campaign to Double the Housing Trust Fund in September 2018 when City Council and Mayor Kenney reached an agreement to direct at least $70 million to it between FY19 – FY23. As of November 2020, more than $67 million had already been transferred into the fund thanks to continued advocacy to boost that commitment to $100 million over five years. In 2020, PACDC and our allies were successful in pushing back against proposals that would have zeroed out the commitment to the HTF due to COVID-related budget shortfalls.
This victory was the outcome of a multi-year effort by PACDC that also included our campaign Affordable Homes for a Growing Philly which led to legislation to create a Mixed Income Housing program. The effort also led to the passage of a bill that would have created a 1% Construction Impact Tax for the HTF, but that legislation was withdrawn from Council in favor of the agreement to transfer City General Fund revenue into the fund.
In Fall 2020, PACDC announced our support for a new proposal introduced in City Council to revive the Construction Impact Tax in order to float a $400 million bond to spur an economic recovery by investing in affordable homes and neighborhood commercial corridors.
About the campaign
About the HTF
The Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund was established in 2005 thanks to the efforts of PACDC and other advocates. From 2006 – 2019, it has assisted over 47,000 households in addressing a range of housing needs from the production of new affordable units, home repair and adaptive modifications for the persons with disabilities, and programs designed to prevent and end homelessness.
Intended to generate local revenue, the HTF has been a vital source of funding to offset steep federal and state cuts to housing programs. Programs supported by the HTF have been critical to Philadelphia’s low-and moderate- income residents, but the need has far outpaced available resources with waiting lists measured in years or closed entirely. Community leaders from across our city joined together starting in 2015 in calling to Double the Housing Trust Fund.
Whether it’s a single mother worried about the health of her children due to a deteriorating home, a veteran struggling with addiction who needs an opportunity to get back on their feet, a
frail senior who needs a modification to be able to remain in their home, or a family on the brink of homelessness, they can’t wait for a safe, affordable home any longer.
To learn more about the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund, read the Ten Year Anniversary Report by clicking the image below and review more recent reports at the Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development website.
Archival News
PACDC testifies on FY21 Budget to protect Housing Trust Fund dollars: https://pacdc.org/pacdc-testifies-before-city-council-on-the-fy21-budget-year-46-consolidated-plan-and-year-45-consolidated-plan-amendments/
Another $20 million is approved in FY20 for the Housing Trust Fund: https://pacdc.org/victory-fy20-city-budget-boosts-housing-trust-fund-another-20m/
The Kenney Administration and City Council announce how new Housing Trust Fund dollars will be spent: https://pacdc.org/kenney-council-proposal-new-housing-trust-fund-dollars/
City Council approves a package of bills that will boost funding to the Housing Trust Fund as an alternative to the Construction Impact Tax: https://pacdc.org/council-committee-approves-housing-trust-fund-bills/