Philly Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf was joined Aug. 12 by members of the General Assembly, housing activists and stakeholders in Philadelphia to commemorate a $375 million investment in the 2022-23 budget addressing the affordable housing crisis.

“Looming gentrification in under-resourced communities, aging infrastructure in our oldest neighborhoods and rapidly increasing property values are some of the major challenges we’re seeing here in West Philadelphia and across the commonwealth,” Rep. Morgan Cephas said according to a recent press release. “Given today’s housing climate, it is crucial for us to ensure that we not only continue to build new housing, but we must maintain current infrastructure and support safe and affordable living for all residents and families. These investments will help us turn this vision into reality.”

The governor expressed similar sentiments.

“Safe, affordable housing is essential for families, for our communities, and for our commonwealth,” Wolf said. “That’s why my administration and the General Assembly worked so hard to fund programs that support safe, affordable housing in this year’s budget. We made a transformative investment in housing in Pennsylvania using federal American Rescue Plan Act funding which is exactly why that money was given to states – to help our neighbors – and that’s exactly what we are going to do.”

Rep. Donna Bullock spoke about the plan and how it related to the racial dynamics of housing.

“Housing was a budget priority for the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus because we believe investments in housing can build Pennsylvania’s Black middle class, narrow the racial wealth gap, and uplift distressed communities,” she said. “This historic investment will have a significant impact on the lives of Black homeowners, homebuyers and renters.”