January 2022 – Page 2 – Broke in Philly

Philly has few affordable homes for multigenerational families. There are no plans to change that

January 18, 2022

Two days after 12 people died when their apartment caught fire, Philadelphia Housing Authority CEO Kelvin Jeremiah said the agency had “absolutely no indication” the intergenerational clan wanted to move out of their four-bedroom unit. But even if the family members did want to leave as relatives have told reporters, the agency would have struggled to accommodate them, especially if the family wanted all 14 to stay together in a bigger home. Of the roughly 14,000 units in its portfolio, the Philadelphia Housing Authority doesn’t have any big enough to house a group that size. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)

Assessing the ways Chester’s Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods program has succeeded

January 17, 2022

The program uses a method called “focused deterrence” that targets individuals the Chester Police Department identify as most at risk — people who it believes are causing most of the violence. | From: WHYY (Read more.)

Hite testifies lack of resources holds back Philly students

January 17, 2022

Philadelphia school superintendent William Hite spent Tuesday testifying at the school funding trial in Harrisburg, reiterating several times that he believes a lack of resources is the main reason that more Philadelphia students do not achieve academically at high levels. | From: Chalkbeat Philadelphia (Read more.)

My building has 18 tenants and no fire extinguishers. Preventing tragedy requires more affordable housing

January 17, 2022

The news of the rowhouse fire that killed 12 people last week came as a devastating shock to our city. Yet as I watched the news unfold, it only took a few minutes for me to realize the same tragedy could’ve easily happened at my home in Nicetown. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)

Two youth curfew centers open in West and South Philadelphia

January 17, 2022

The City of Philadelphia funded two centers that will take in youth who are found on the street after hours. | From: AL DÍA (Read more.)

Free bootcamp LaunchCode is bringing 2 new web dev courses to Philly this year

January 14, 2022

After the local chapter’s successful inaugural cohorts last year, the bootcamp is rolling out a full- and part-time option in 2022. | From: Technical.ly (Read more.)

New program aims to help low-income Pennsylvanians pay their water bills

January 14, 2022

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will provide grants to help those with past-due water bills, terminated or imminently terminated water services. | From: AL DÍA (Read more.)

A group of Philly technologists are working on a free, community-based mesh Wi-Fi network

January 14, 2022

Philly Community Wireless was started in 2020 to combat the digital divide in North Philadelphia. The org has since launched free internet for thousands in Kensington’s Norris Square Park area. | From: Technical.ly (Read more.)

What to know about fire safety rules for your Philadelphia home or apartment

January 14, 2022

We’ve compiled a guide to fire safety requirements for Philadelphia homes. Whether you live in an apartment building, rowhouse apartment or single-family home, here’s what you should expect. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)

Philly Affordable Housing Plan Failed to Help Targeted Home Buyers

January 13, 2022

An affordable housing program was meant to help 1,000 middle-class residents buy a house in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. Instead, it subsidized the construction and sale of only 140 homes, including several that have been rented out or resold for profit. City officials now say there was little oversight and that an audit of the program should be conducted. | From: NBC10/Telemundo62 (Read more.)