Description

Just here in Philadelphia more than 100,000 people are on a waiting list for public housing units or subsidies from the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Advocates for public housing are calling for $25 million in state funds to be set aside annually for the State Housing Trust Fund. That is a fund that is meant to fight homelessness and it is funded by the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee. Advocates also want that fund to be expanded to help communities where there is no drilling. Where do you stand on these issues and what other ideas do you have to deal with the high demand for public housing? The forum was presented by Neighborhood Networks, with questions developed by a broad group of progressive organizations. Republican Governor Tom Corbett and Democratic candidate Tom Wolf did not attend. Rob McCord, Katie McGinty, Allyson Schwarts, and Jack Wagner did attend, but Jack Wagner has since dropped out of the race. The forum was moderated by Daniel Denvir of the City Paper and Holly Otterbein of WHYY, with a special presentation from Deputy City Commissioner Tracey Gordon on the Philadelphia electorate. See the full presentation here. The Democratic Primary takes place on May 20th with voter registration for the race ending April 21st.