Philly Unlocks $400M for Housing- What That Means for Renters and Homeowners

Philadelphia Mayor Parker is issuing $400M for housing under the H.O.M.E. plan, an initiative that focuses on building and repairing over 30,000 homes across the city. 

The H.O.M.E. plan was established a year ago to combat Philadelphia’s housing crisis.

This article discusses what the new expansion will mean for homeowners and renters in the area as cost-effective initiatives emerge.

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North Philly Land Trust’s Affordable Housing Fight Displacement

North Philadelphia-based nonprofit Esperanza combines real estate and other community-building work to assist residents in need of housing and other resources.

Sixty-seven percent of residents in North Philadelphia face displacement pressure, with new building plans and costs posing a risk to sustainable housing.

Billy Penn discusses how the North Philly Land Trust and Esperanza are addressing displacement concerns. 

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PA Announces $5.5 Million Investment to Improve Regional Waterways

The Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture has announced $5.5M in grants to support projects that improve water quality.

These grants will also target the sustainability of economic and environmental health of farms throughout the region and Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Projects include soil preservation, water testing, and ecological restoration.

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How Early Childhood Educator Professionalization Shapes Child Care Access

Research shows that for children under three years old, participating in high-quality Early Childhood Education can have lifelong positive outcomes.

This has prompted federal, state, and local programs to invest in professionalizing the ECE workforce.

The Urban Institute explores the relationship between ECE workforce professionalization and the access and quality of childcare and early education. 



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Making Sense of Labor Market Indicators Amid Data Imperfections

Researchers have developed a new method of aggregating and analyzing a wide range of volatile and often conflicting government and private U.S. labor market data.

This data may relate to narratives often used by policymakers and business analysts on concepts such as labor demand, labor supply, and difficulties in pairing job seekers with suitable job openings.

Brookings Research highlights new research on how to interpret labor market indicators amidst imperfect data and how to use it in crafting effective narratives. 

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Rx Kids Cash Aid Program for New Mothers Expands to Detroit 

Rx Kids is the United States’ first community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, delivering assistance for new mothers, who are often at their poorest during pregnancy and infancy.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has announced the program’s expansion to the city, providing residents with $1,500 prenatally and $500 per month for a baby’s first six months.

This program, which is now accepting applications, is expected to reach approximately 8,000 babies born in the city each year.



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