Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has launched the largest housing investment in the city’s history. During a special session of the City Council, she shared the details of her new Housing Opportunities Made Easy plan, also known as H.O.M.E.
The total investment will be $2 billion, and the goal is to build 13,500 new homes plus preserve another 16,500. This adds up to 30,000 housing units during her time in office.
The city plans to borrow $800 million through bonds to make this possible. The first $400 million is set to be borrowed in fiscal year 2026. Along with the bonds, other money will come from local, state, and federal sources.
In addition, the city will use $1 billion in the value of public land and buildings. These could include properties like Holmesburg Prison and the old Police Roundhouse.
Mayor Parker said housing is Philadelphia’s most urgent issue, second only to public safety. She explained that during her campaign, residents in many neighborhoods mentioned housing as one of their top three concerns. Consequently, she promised to build and preserve 30,000 homes and is now working to keep that promise.
The H.O.M.E. plan is focused on housing that people can actually afford. More than 20,000 units will be for people earning 50% or less of the area median income. For a family of four, that means a yearly income of $57,350 or less. For context, the median household income in Philadelphia is about $60,698.
The plan introduces a new program called the ONE Philly Mortgage to make mortgages easier to get. This program will offer 30-year fixed-rate loans, a 3% down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and lower interest rates. This will help people buy homes that usually don’t qualify for traditional loans.
The plan also includes help for people already living in their homes. For example, the Basic Systems Repair Program will expand. It offers free repairs for major systems like heating, plumbing, and roofing. Many older homes in Philadelphia have serious repair needs, and this program helps keep those homes livable.
Another new effort is the Home Service Clearinghouse and Concierge. This service will connect residents with trusted contractors to avoid scams. The mayor shared a personal story about being a victim of a predatory loan. And, that experience is a big part of why she is pushing to protect homeowners, especially seniors.
The plan also supports renters. It will grow rental assistance programs like the Shallow Rent Program and the Eviction Diversion Program to prevent evictions and reduce homelessness. A few programs offer one-time payments to help tenants catch up on rent, and the rest provide free legal help during eviction court cases.
To build more homes, the city will continue successful programs like Turn the Key. Since it started in 2021, the program has already helped 195 families become homeowners, with another 590 homes in progress. These homes are built on public land, and buyers get help with mortgages and down payments—up to $85,000 in some cases.
The H.O.M.E. plan also introduces the Curbside Appeal Program, which will offer matching grants to improve how entire blocks look. There will also be a Façade Improvement Program to help with repairs like brick pointing and weatherproofing.
On the job front, the plan includes a contractor training program, which will prepare local workers for careers in construction and home repairs. The city wants to grow its pool of skilled labor, especially in partnership with the building trades and apprenticeship programs.
In addition, the city will create a Land Bank Acquisition Fund, helping the Land Bank buy tax-delinquent properties at sheriff sales. These properties are often turned into affordable housing or used as community spaces. The city has also reached a new agreement with the Sheriff’s Office to speed up this process.
To help fund the plan, Mayor Parker has proposed a small increase to the city’s real estate transfer tax. This tax is charged when properties are bought or sold. The change is expected to raise $173 million over five years. At the same time, the city plans to remove the Construction Impact Tax, which adds a 1% fee to some building projects. Removing that tax could help more housing projects get started.
The city’s Planning and Development Department will receive $11 million over five years to hire 32 new workers and consultants—staff who will help manage the housing programs and keep them running smoothly.
Mayor Parker also addressed the councilmanic prerogative, the long-standing rule that district councilmembers must approve land use in their areas. She said her plan would work with the Council to pre-approve smaller land parcels for housing, especially single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes.
A new list of pre-approved developers will also be created to speed up projects. Each district’s council member will give input on what gets built and how it fits with the neighborhood.
Some housing advocates say the plan should do more for the city’s poorest residents. Groups like Philly Thrive and the Philadelphia Coalition for Affordable Communities want more money for emergency repairs and rental inspections. Others worry that private developers still have an easier time getting land than nonprofit groups.
Mayor Parker said that more than 550 people, including developers, housing experts, and nonprofit leaders, were involved in shaping the H.O.M.E. plan.
She credited many members of her administration, including Chief of Staff Tiffany Thurman, Planning and Development Director Jessie Lawrence, and Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer Angela Brooks. She also thanked former HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge for offering guidance.
The plan is based on seven goals, which the mayor called “North Stars.” These include preserving existing homes, building new ones, improving affordability, preventing homelessness, improving city processes, reducing blight, and preparing homes for future storms and climate risks.
Programs like mortgage assistance, housing counseling, and legal aid for renters are already in place and will receive more funding, while new initiatives are set to begin as pilot programs in fiscal year 2026. All of this is expected to move forward along with the city’s FY26 budget, which must be approved by the end of June.
Mayor Parker closed her remarks by urging everyone to act quickly. She said the city is ready to build, preserve, and restore homes without delay. In her words, “I want shovels in the ground.”
