May 27, 2026 8:56 am
Philadelphia’s struggle with housing insecurity
As a teen, Destiny Jackson, was placed into the city’s foster care system to be removed from an abusive home. She was later transferred to Youth Services, Inc (YSI)’s youth emergency shelter. Jackson says YSI helped her through high school and saw her off to Spelman College. YSI eventually merged with People’s Emergency Center (PEC) […]
May 20, 2026 8:00 am
Addressing Philadelphia’s Affordable Housing Crisis through Co-ops
First introduced in New York City in the 1800s, a housing co-op (cooperative) is a building where residents receive a proprietary lease for a unit by purchasing shares in the corporation that owns the building. While a corporation owns the building, an elected board of residents maintains the property, approves new owners, and manages the governing […]
Aug. 20, 2025 8:00 am
A “Perfect Storm” for Affordable Housing in Pittsburgh
photo GB – stock.adobe.com Last December, Andrea Matthews, executive director of The Brashear Association serving neighborhoods in the southern part of Pittsburgh, was asked how she felt about the incoming second Trump administration. “Terrified,” she replied. Seven months later, after President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, […]
Oct. 9, 2024 8:00 am
Smaller in Stature, Bigger in Impact: Housing Options for those in need
image: original Dignity Village encampment in NE Portland, which is now a village of tiny houses for those without permanent housing. Homelessness is a multi-faceted problem that requires different approaches tailored to the various circumstances, causes, and specific needs of individuals and families. One solution that is attracting increasing attention is tiny homes, which […]
Aug. 28, 2024 8:00 am
Housing Solutions in Action: Insights from HealthSpark’s Community Gathering
Last week, government officials, practitioners, community leaders, and advocates from all over Montgomery County and beyond convened at the HealthSpark Foundation offices in Colmar for “Building The Public Will for Housing Solutions.” The event, a mini version of Health Spark’s regular Community of Practice events, comes as a response to partners who were in attendance […]
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Jun. 12, 2024 8:31 am
A New Loan Fund — Five Year Impact Return to Create and Preserve Affordable Homes
After years of declining population, Philadelphia has become a more desirable place to live. However, as market-rate development increases, the effects of gentrification are displacing long-term residents. Rising housing costs coupled with stagnant household incomes are straining low-income families’ ability to stay in their homes. The Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) is a group working […]
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Mar. 31, 2024 7:18 pm
Health and Human Services (e)mpact report
(e)mpact report: Health and Human Services by Civic Capital Consulting
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Mar. 6, 2024 8:00 am
A City of Neighborhoods and the Challenge of Affordable Housing
We hear a lot about Philadelphia as a “city of neighborhoods.” The description certainly fits, as we have a wealth of distinctive communities offering all varieties of food, shopping, architecture, civic institutions, and other amenities that enhance our quality of life. But what makes Philadelphia uniquely neighborhood-centered? After all, Manhattan has neighborhoods, Boston has neighborhoods, […]
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Jun. 28, 2023 8:55 am
Advancing Solutions to Philadelphia’s Issues
Community driven solutions at the intersection of Housing, Workforce Development, Education, and Public Safety
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Apr. 18, 2023 10:54 am
Desperately Seeking Housing
Insights from those in need of housing locally and trying to navigate the systems our nonprofits and governments have put in place.