Philadelphia unveils phase two of HOME initiative to create and preserve 30,000 units of housing  

PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Cherelle L. Parker today signed the Housing Opportunities Made Easy “H.O.M.E.” Initiative Executive Order (No. 3-25) during a press conference. The executive order and new initiative are the second phase of the Parker Administration’s plan to create and preserve 30,000 units of new and existing housing. The executive order took effect today, Wednesday, February 19.

During the press conference, Mayor Parker and Director of Planning and Development Jessie Lawrence were joined by community development stakeholders, public officials and labor leaders as the mayor’s signature initiative on housing took a major step forward. The H.O.M.E. Initiative will be overseen by the senior administration appointment announced today by Mayor Parker – the City’s new Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer, Angela Brooks. The Initiative will service the housing needs of Philadelphia’s residents including low-wage workers, under-employed or unemployed, municipal and union workers, veterans, individuals with disabilities and domestic violence survivors, among other Philadelphians. In addition, the initiative will also support transitional, supportive and recovery housing.

“Today, I am proud to reaffirm my commitment to addressing Philadelphia’s housing crisis by streamlining processes and eliminating barriers that are essential to creating a sustainable path forward through our H.O.M.E. Initiative,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Philadelphia is striving for a future in which there is an abundance of new housing construction and the preservation of existing housing throughout our city. The goal is to give residents a diverse supply of high-quality, affordable luxury and accessible housing options. Through our public-private partnerships, we are identifying hurdles in our housing policies, so we can create and preserve more affordable units, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and stable housing.”

Like many other cities and towns in Pennsylvania and across the nation, Philadelphia is experiencing a housing crisis due to a limited supply of housing options that serve all levels of income. The mayor made clear at today’s press conference that Philadelphia would partner with all available local, state and federal partners to develop and implement the new H.O.M.E. Initiative. Many such stakeholders attended and spoke at today’s event at City Hall, including the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council.

The mayor said the City would unveil a “significant financial investment” in the H.O.M.E. Initiative shortly. “Stay tuned for my Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Address next month,” Mayor Parker said.

The City will also partner with reputable financial institutions to develop a range of mortgage products that serve Philadelphia homebuyers with limited access to funds through solutions like loan loss reserve funds.

“Housing is the key to ensuring that our City is the most competitive, quality place for our people of today and tomorrow,» said Jessie Lawrence, Director, Department of Planning & Development. “My 20 years of experience in public, private, and non-profit real estate development has shown me that each sector is rich in its own expertise, insight, and perspective. That’s why it’s inspiring to me that the mayor’s Executive Order and the H.O.M.E. Initiative are grounded in the power of collaboration. I’m particularly looking forward to working with colleagues across City government to eliminate barriers, discover synergies, and bring affordable luxury to housing everywhere.”

The City estimates the initiative will create approximately 41,500 full-time construction and trades jobs and will require corresponding job training programs to prepare our workforce to implement the housing goal.

About the H.O.M.E. Initiative

Executive Order 3-25 will create the Philadelphia Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Initiative. The H.O.M.E. Initiative provides that all relevant stakeholders, internal and external, will convene to review existing development review and approval processes and policies and provide concrete, data-driven recommendations for reform.

An internal report of results is due to the mayor in 30 days. Subsequent reports to the Mayor tracking progress on implementing recommendations will be submitted every six months.

Recommendations are sought in the areas of:

• Shrinking the “time tax” on development imposed by government processes.
• Incentivizing the creation and preservation of safe, healthy, quality housing for buyers and renters.
• Promoting “affordable luxury” at all levels of cost.

The H.O.M.E. Initiative establishes an Advisory Board to provide guidance and insight based on board members’ expertise. The following community partners will be invited to join:

• Building Industry Association (BIA).
• General Building Contractors Association (GBCA).
• Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
• Community Development Corporations (CDCs).
• Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council.
• Philadelphia Housing and Development Corporation (PHDC).
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA).
• Philadelphia Works.
• Private sector developers.
• Reinvestment Fund.

Additional entities can be appointed to the advisory group at the discretion of the mayor.

Leadership Appointment

During the press conference, Mayor Parker also announced the appointment of Angela Brooks as Chief Housing & Urban Development Officer, a new role in the administration. In this role, Brooks will oversee implementation of the mayor’s Housing Plan and drive all efforts under the plan towards achieving the mayor’s goal of creating and preserving 30,000 units of housing. Brooks will begin her new role on Monday, March 10.

Brooks joins Mayor Parker’s Office from Chicago, where she has served as the Director of the Illinois Office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and as President of the American Planning Association. With over two decades of experience in urban planning, affordable housing, and community development, Brooks has established herself as a leading voice in housing policy and zoning reform.

As Director at the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Brooks oversees training, lending, technical assistance, and systems change work throughout Illinois, managing a $10 million office budget and implementing racial equity frameworks through system change work. Brooks leadership has been instrumental in implementing the Central Referral System for permanent supportive housing in Chicago, prioritizing services for the most vulnerable populations.

Prior to relocating to Chicago, Brooks worked for the City of Seattle Office of Housing, where she managed the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program and property disposition. In this role, Brooks drafted legislation, developed program guidelines, and created redevelopment strategies for city-owned properties while managing property disposition budgets and marketing sites to developers.