It’s time to vote in Philly’s primary election. We’ve covered the stances of district attorney candidates Larry Krasner and Pat Dugan, and we’ve broken down who’s running in the judicial races.
Due to Pennsylvania being a closed primary state, you can only vote Tuesday for a candidate in your registered party, Democrat or Republican. However, anyone can vote on the city’s ballot questions regardless of party affiliation, and there are three questions Philly wants you to vote on.
The ballot questions are proposed amendment changes to Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter. Think of the charter as Philadelphia’s constitution. These changes are voted on and approved by the City Council, but voters get the final say. Here are the changes up for consideration.
Should The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create the Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson to assist residents experiencing homelessness, help provide fair access to essential resources, improve quality of life in the shelter system, investigate client complaints, and provide oversight and recommendations to the City’s providers of homeless services?
An ombudsperson is an independent government employee assigned to look into and resolve complaints made by those receiving the public service. An ombudsperson for the Office of Homeless Services would seek to hold the office accountable by monitoring the city’s efforts to address homelessness and investigate issues like misuse of funding. According to Pew Charitable Trusts, more Philadelphia residents experienced homelessness than ever before in 2024 and the rate increased from the prior year by 10%.
It’s estimated the new position will cost $500,000 to create.
Should the Home Rule Charter be amended to increase the minimum amount that must be appropriated for spending on Housing Trust Fund purposes in the City’s operating budget each year?
The Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund was created in 2005 to meet the housing needs of low-income residents.
Philadelphia’s Zoning Code allows for developers to make a payment to the Housing Trust Fund if they want to increase the density of their housing projects but are restricted in doing so due to the zoning code. These payments are made in lieu of adding more price-fixed affordable housing units to their project. However, these payments aren’t legally bound to be used by the Housing Trust Fund and are often appropriated elsewhere. A change to the charter would require all funds go directly to the trust. Mayor Parker’s administration opposes the change, stating they need flexibility in spending.
Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight and to further authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the Board and Office?
Philadelphia’s prison system has raised alarms through the years due to overcrowding, staffing shortages, violence, and other poor conditions. While the Philadelphia Prison Advisory Board does exist, it's housed within the Department of Prisons. Creating the community oversight board would form an independent watchdog group to meet with staff and incarcerated individuals to learn what is happening inside the prisons and report back to the City Council.
🎧 Listen to further explanation on the ballot questions, as well as a recap on what’s happening in the district attorney and judicial races, in this episode of City Cast Philly.
