Last week, The Common Place proudly hosted a powerful community meeting facilitated by POWER Interfaith, drawing over 100 attendees from faith communities throughout Southwest Philadelphia. The gathering was a critical step in confronting the city’s growing housing crisis and exploring pathways toward justice and equity.
Among the many concerned residents in attendance was our Executive Director, Rev. Christopher J. Holland II, who participated as a community member and stakeholder, joining neighbors, faith leaders, and local advocates in reflecting on the implications of the mayor’s proposed housing budget.
Together, participants examined the potential consequences of the budget for low-income families, public education, and the continued threat of gentrification in our neighborhoods. One particularly troubling proposal calls for raising the low-income threshold for a family of four from $60,000 to $114,000—a shift that could disqualify the most vulnerable families from essential services. Residents also voiced concern over tax abatements and zoning policies that prioritize developers at the expense of schools and affordable housing.
The room was filled with urgency as attendees shared stories, asked questions, and strategized next steps. Data shared during the meeting painted a grim picture: with the average Social Security income for senior adults at $1,600 and average rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,900, the math simply doesn’t work for many of our neighbors.
Although City Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jamie Gauthier, and Kendra Brooks were invited to attend, none were present—though some had communicated with organizers in advance. A City Council hearing is expected in the next one to two weeks, and POWER Interfaith is actively preparing residents to testify and advocate effectively.
Another follow-up meeting is also in the works, where attendees will conduct a power analysis to identify key influencers and build a unified strategy for community-driven action.
We at The Common Place are committed to offering space for conversations like these—where the community can gather, speak truth to power, and demand justice for all our neighbors.
To learn more about the organizing efforts around housing justice, visit www.powerinterfaith.org.
