City Hall

Mayor Parker Seeks Council Support for $2B HOME Initiative

During her speech outlining details of her proposed $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) Initiative on Monday, Mayor Cherelle Parker urged the City Council to streamline redevelopment processes and consider limiting councilmanic prerogative, a tradition giving district Council members significant control over land use and development decisions in the neighborhoods they represent. Mayor Parker’s proposal includes preauthorizing land sales and creating a list of favored developers to expedite affordable housing projects.

Philadelphia Land Bank Resumes Bidding on Vacant Properties

After a five-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Land Bank will start acquiring tax-delinquent properties at sheriff sales again, following a new agreement with the Sheriff's Office. This move aims to increase the city's supply of affordable housing and support community development.

Budget Hearing Update

FY26 Budget hearings kicked off this week, with members of City Council asking questions about aspects of Mayor Parker’s $6.7 billion budget proposal—particularly her plans for tax reform and the HOME initiative—amid uncertainties over federal funding and ongoing staffing challenges. The budget hearings also highlighted concerns about potential cuts to homeless services and the City’s Zero Fare program.

The full schedule of FY26 budget hearings and a link to watch them can be found here. The following hearings are coming up next week:

• Chief Administrative Office Group (including Chief Administrative Office, Office of Human Resources, Office of Innovation & Technology, and Procurement) on Tuesday, April 1 at 10 a.m.
• Children & Families Group (including Human Services and Mayor’s Office of Education) on Tuesday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m.
• Office of Clean & Green Group (including Sanitation Office of Clean & Green Group, and PEA) on Wednesday, April 2 at 10 a.m.
• Transportation Group (including Streets, Water, and Aviation) on Wednesday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

The Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar year. Watch here.

• The Public Health & Human Services Committee will meet on Friday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss and hear testimony regarding rules about selling electronic smoking devices and unapproved nicotine products.
• The Joint Committees on Licenses & Inspections and Public Safety will meet on Monday, March 31 at 10 a.m. to discuss and hear testimony regarding enforcement against drug paraphernalia stores.

Around Town

Opinion: City’s “Meds & Eds” Sector Threatened by Federal Cuts

Federal funding cuts to research and universities by the Trump administration are threatening Philadelphia’s economy, heavily reliant on medical and educational jobs, with additional risks from potential Medicaid cuts, tariffs, high interest rates, and immigration crackdowns. The University of Pennsylvania announced this week that $175 million in federally funded research across seven schools, including research into hospital-acquired infections, drug screening, and quantum computing.

OIC CEO Stands Firm Amid Federal Diversity Rollbacks

Despite federal cuts and diversity policy rollbacks, OIC Philadelphia President & CEO Sheila Ireland remains committed to providing job training and employment opportunities to empower the North Philadelphia community and beyond.

Free Grocery Distribution in West Philly Supports Hundreds

Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) and State Representative Amen Brown (D-Philadelphia) organized a free grocery distribution in West Philadelphia, providing fresh produce and other essentials to hundreds of residents and highlighting the growing need for food assistance as federal job losses and funding cuts impact the community.

International Migration Fuels Philadelphia’s Population Growth

Philadelphia’s population increased by 1.4% from 2020 to 2024, driven primarily by international migration which offset the loss of 65,000 residents to other cities.

Cyclists Question Market Street Bridge Bike Lane Design

Cyclists have expressed mixed feelings about the new two-way bike lane on Market Street bridge, citing safety improvements but concerns over the lane’s south-side placement and lack of public input.

Philadelphia Adds 7 Properties to Historic Register

The Philadelphia Historical Commission added seven properties to the City’s Historic Register last week, including a 19th-century German burial ground and the home of an undertaker for President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession.

West Philly Honors Will Smith with Street Renaming

On Wednesday, Actor Will Smith attended a ceremony in West Philadelphia where the 2000 block of North 59th Street was renamed in his honor, celebrating his contributions to entertainment and his alma mater, Overbrook High School.

Election Update

Krasner, Dugan Clash at DA Election Forum

District Attorney Larry Krasner and retired judge Patrick Dugan exchanged criticisms at a forum ahead of the May 20 Democratic primary, with Dugan challenging Krasner’s handling of crime and hiring practices, while Krasner defended his record and emphasized his collaboration with city leaders.

Suburban Spotlight

DelCo, Penn Collaborate to Save Crozer Hospitals

Delaware County and the University of Pennsylvania Health System are reportedly working on a partnership to save bankrupt Crozer hospitals.