The reason is simple: Philly is broke. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the city was forced to plug a $749 million budget hole, mostly due to a shortfall in taxes, the commissioner told City Council Wednesday. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)
Officials expect the project to create more than 200 construction jobs as well as more than 200 permanent jobs, of which 70% are expected to be made available to people who live in the predominantly Black neighborhood. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)
In April, Neighborhood Bike Works started a program called Bikes for Neighbors to help, giving away free bikes to essential workers and people who needed them.
Eight months into the initiative and with over 500 requests for bikes, 77 bikes have been given out.
Jessi West, Executive Director of Neighborhood Bike Works, said that the program was a solution to multiple problems created by the pandemic. | From: Green Philly (Read more.)
The city’s Restore Kensington Action Plan aims to deter trash in the neighborhood, but residents want more effort. | From: Kensington Voice (Read more.)
The pandemic turned many neighborhoods into opportunity deserts. It laid bare the disparities between communities where people can afford to buy membership to private pools or make over backyards into kid play zones and those that rely on public options. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)
While susu has been practiced by members of Southwest Philadelphia’s African community for years, business owners and community advocates say this system of mutual aid has taken on new importance during the pandemic. It has prevented many businesses from closing for good, they say, and helped others rebound swiftly. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
While it’s common knowledge that low-income families must apply for food stamps, stand in line at food pantries, and generally fight and fret to stay clothed, housed, and insured during the time of COVID-19, many Americans don’t realize how big a problem the lack of diapers poses. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)
Officials said Thursday that an additional $20 million in grants will soon be available to small businesses in Philadelphia through the federal CARES Act. | From: Metro Philly (Read more.)
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s anti-violence program has helped reduce shootings in Chicago’s South Side by 33 percent—while citywide, violence has spiked. The key? Economic opportunity. | From: The Philadelphia Citizen (Read more.)
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