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 […]
Apr. 29, 2026 8:00 am
Housing Affordability: A pressing issue for community members
A problem my community faces is housing. Not everyone has a safe and stable place to live, and many people struggle daily to find a home they can afford. I believe everyone should have a fair chance to own a home. Housing should not be treated as something only for people with high incomes. It […]
Mar. 4, 2026 8:00 am
How Homelessness Affects All of Us
image above from 2026 PIT Count What is Homelessness? Safe, stable, and affordable housing is not a luxury – it is a basic human necessity. While some dehumanize or overlook homeless people, I see them as neighbors – worthy of respect, compassion, and equally important as others in our community. No one deserves a […]
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 […]
Oct. 2, 2024 8:00 am
Homelessness is not a monolithic issue
Despite the often overgeneralized reactions of society at large, homelessness is not a monolithic issue. There are meaningful differences in the circumstances, causes, impact on individuals and families, and conditions of homelessness, which necessitate a varied and dynamic approach. In cities across the United States, people are still experiencing the strain on the economy and […]
Aug. 7, 2024 8:00 am
Cultivating Peace of Mind for a Peaceful Community
What is a healthy and safe community without peace of mind? And how does one find it when you’re unhoused and underserved? It’s Monday morning in Norristown. A young woman sits at the bus stop with her bags filled with her belongings, searching anxiously for a bathroom to no avail. Across the street, the […]
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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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Apr. 17, 2024 7:38 am
When you’re unsheltered, the public in ‘public safety’ doesn’t include you
Supreme Court to decide if you can be fined or jailed for living on the street
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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