My name is Keith Harris. And I would like to speak in support of Bill 230630. And the reason why, you know, we need affordable housing, and as we see our neighborhoods really actually -- the housing stock is being replenished back in our community. When we were growing up, you know, we seen all families. So it was no abandoned lots, no empty houses. It was all families living in these houses. So now we're seeing a resurgence in the housing stock. So our community is not filled all with market rate housing. We need to support bills that really support affordable housing. I know some people say it's no such thing as affordable housing. You know, inflation has taken place on a monetary level, but I don't want to go into all that so it seems like affordable housing, but they do have subsidies like PHA to help people with Section 8, to help people pay rent and assist them. So I think that we just can't say no and continue to say no to public housing and affordable housing. We have to somewhere draw the line and say, okay, we're the next generation or at least me in my age group at 62, we're the next generation being ushered out. So we have to make sure the people that come behind us have a place to live, you know. And we just cannot keep denying and fighting. I understand Judith and other people's sentiments about housing that's being rebuilt in our communities and that has its place, but also the argument for affordable housing has its place also. We just can't -- and I'd just like to leave here with we just can't say no to all this construction because before we know it, the developers will be in here and it will be all market rate and we will be taxed out just like other areas in the City has done in the past. So I'm in support of this bill.
I feel obligated to respond to the earlier comments made by Ms. Queen Robinson.
First and foremost, let me just say that the PHA Ms. Robinson describes is not the PHA that exists today. And I cannot make any statements about what has happened 30, 40, years ago. I can 10 tell you that the PHA of today is one 11 of the best run, best mission-driven 12 public housing authorities in the 13 country. It has been recognized as 14 such from the Obama Administration to 15 the Biden Administration and we 16 continue to make improvements on so 17 many different policy objectives that 18 we've established. 19 I will also like to add that 20 PHA has put frankly more Black and Browns in affordable homeownership than any other government agency in Philadelphia. And, in fact, we have one of the best homeownership programs anywhere in the country. That's a simple straightforward fact. We continue to do that every single year moving folks from affordable rental housing into homeownership. As you correctly noted, folks have to be prepared and be ready. And that's one of the reasons frankly that we don't see any foreclosures in folks that we've put into homeownership. Secondly, Mr. Chair, PHA is offering occupied homeowners the first opportunity to relocate in the homeownership units that we will be building. It's their choice whether or not they want to relocate into the new development and buy one of those -- and be into one of the new homeownership units or if they want to get fair market value for the property and move elsewhere. We are obligated -- let me emphasize this again. We are federally obligated to pay fair market value for any property that we acquire. It's a simple fact and where there are discrepancies, where there are disagreements in terms of what that value is, there's a well- established process that we adhere to, to come to that agreement. And that has been the case for every one of those actions that we've taken. With respect to our work in Blumberg Sharswood area, I will dare say that it speaks for itself. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much. Next we're going to have on public comment Ms. Sherry Brown on Resolution 230630. (No response.)
Is anyone else here to testify whose name has not yet been called?
Mr. Chair, I believe it might just be one moment for Council Support -- (Background interruption.)
It seems we may have lost Ms. Sherry Brown, Mr. Chair. (No response.)
Okay. Is there anyone else here to testify whose name has not yet been called? (No response.)
Any other questions or comments from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Hearing none -- COUNCIL TECH SUPPORT: We're calling Sherry in now.
Yes. State your name for the record and please begin your testimony.
Yes. My name is Sherry Brown and I'm calling to -- hello, can you hear me?
Yes, I can hear you. Just turn down your T.V. in the background.
Okay. Yes, my name is Sherry Brown and I'm calling in reference to Bill No. 230630. I'm calling today because once again I am very disappointed in the way this process is taking place. When I was looking at the bill and it had fee simple title and it says the owner has the right to give away property, that's what's happening in Strawberry Mansion. The property is being given away by the City of Philadelphia. Okay. There has been -- which actually has not been a friend to Strawberry Mansion. Okay. When it comes to hearing what the residents in this community say that they need, no one listens to that. Everybody wants to tell us what they think that we should need. We want to get away from valuable property. You know, you're basically giving away valuable property without any meetings with the community. None that I know about, and I've been invested in this Strawberry Mansion for 67 years. And you're going to do this and you're not really asking us how is it going to benefit us. Okay. The other thing is, is that you're going to be moving people due to eminent domain, you'll be moving people. Have you asked these people where they want to go or what type of housing they want to live in now if you move them out of that area? The other thing too is you have Gordon Street. Okay. PHA has houses on Gordon Street. PHA wants to put houses along York Street from 33rd Street. So we will be -- I will be surrounded by people with low-income affordable housing, which I personally have nothing against those people. But what about homeownership? The last time PHA and (inaudible) came and they wanted to do this in our area, we fought against them. And Habitat for Humanity came in and they're building new homes for homeownership up above Diamond Street. Okay. And that's in the area where Keith is at. You're not down here where we're at. Okay. So you don't have to contend with that. What about homeownership? That's the way that we need to go, affordable homeownership. Okay. They had a meeting about the houses on York Street. The community was at that meeting at Strawberry Mansion High School. We agreed against it. And the next thing we hear is somebody from the CDC talking about this is what we wanted. No, that's not what we want. And I think it's disgraceful that that the City of Philadelphia City Council continues to go along with areas like this. We've already been discriminated against. You want to bring more density into this neighborhood. And it's just horrible how you all feel like we should be, you know, that we should be treated, that we deserve to be treated like that. I think it's totally unfair and I'm totally against this project. PHA, if you want to do homeownership, do homeownership. Don't continue to come into Strawberry Mansion and just -- help us build it up. Help us build it up the way that people -- the way that we just want to live. You know, I can't even walk to my corner store now. Okay. Do something in the neighborhood to help us, okay, not just to survive but to thrive. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Is anyone else here to testify whose name has not yet been called? (No response.)
Any other questions and comments from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Hearing none, I want to thank all the witnesses for their participation today. We value your input. I now invite all panels and witnesses to please disconnect from the meeting before we go into our public meeting. We will now pause the proceedings briefly as multiple participants leave the hearing. This concludes the public hearing of the Committee. We will now convene a public meeting to consider the action to be taken on the bills before this Committee today. Will the Clerk please call the roll to take attendance. Members that are in attendance will please indicate that they are present when their names are called. Also, please say a few brief words when responding so that your image will be displayed on screen when you speak.
Good morning, Mr. Chair. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning. And what about Councilman O'Neill? Is he available?
Okay. Thank you. We will now go into our public meeting. The Clerk -- the Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230547.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230547 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilwoman Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 8 230547 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to prevent first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
They ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 230574.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill 3 No. 230574. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the Committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 230574 be approved.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilwoman Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 230574 be approved. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. An amendment to Bill No. 230574 has been approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230574 as amended.
Oh, sorry about that. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230574 as amended be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 23 230574 as amended be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 238578.
Bill No. 15 230578. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill 17 No. 230578. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the Committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 230578 be approved.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilwoman Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 230578 be approved. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230578 as amended.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230578 as amended be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 2 230578 as amended be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230579.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230579 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilwoman Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 8 230579 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230585.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230585 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 14 230585 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230586.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230586 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 20 230586 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230626.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230626 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 1 230626 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes 13 have it and the motion carries. 14 The Chair recognizes 15 Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion 16 on Bill No. 230627. 17
Thank 18 you, Mr. Chair. 19 I move that Bill No. 230627 20 be reported from this Committee with 21 a favorable recommendation and 22 further move that the rules of 23 Council be suspended as to permit the 24 first reading of this bill at the 25 next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 7 230627 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230628.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230628 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 13 230628 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230629.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230629 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 19 230629 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill 24 at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230630.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230630 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilwoman Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 25 230630 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mark Squilla for a motion on Bill No. 230650.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill No. 230650 be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council.
The Chair notes for the record that Councilmember Cindy Bass seconds the motion. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 7 230650 will be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. For the record, we are holding Bill No. 230651 at the request of the sponsor. I want to thank everybody for taking time out of their busy schedule and being a part of this hearing today. And I also want to say, Go Eagles and Let's Go Phillies. This concludes the business before the Rules Committee today. Thank you everybody in attendance. That was a good game last night so --
Let's get another one tonight, y'all. Thank y'all for y'all participation.
All right. Take care. (Hearing concluded at 11:56 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. __________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL