COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON HOSTED A HOMELESSNESS ROUNDTABLE TO ADDRESS CITY’S GROWING CRISIS

Leaders of at least a dozen organizations attended

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) hosted a critical roundtable discussion on homelessness on February 26 that brought together key stakeholders and advocates to explore actionable solutions to address the city’s growing homelessness crisis.

The roundtable inside the Council Caucus Room in Philadelphia City allowed local service providers and advocates the chance to engage in candid conversations about the systemic challenges, needs, and potential strategies for reducing homelessness in Philadelphia.

Council President Johnson has long been an advocate for affordable housing and is committed to advancing policies that ensure all Philadelphians have access to safe, stable housing.

According to the 2024 Point-In-Time homelessness count conducted by Philadelphia’s  Office of Homeless Services, the number of homeless Philadelphians increased for the third consecutive year. In 2024, the total number of homeless people reached 5,191, up from 4,725 the previous year — a 10% increase. OHS also counted a total of 976 unsheltered people, or those without any form of shelter, as opposed to those who might be temporarily in shelters or other transitional housing, which represents a 38% increase from the year before, and a 16% increase from the pre-pandemic count in the winter of 2020.

Considering the increasing number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, this event aimed to foster collaboration and discuss the most effective ways to address the root causes and find lasting solutions.

The roundtable covered a variety of topics, including:

• Expanding and preserving affordable housing, strengthening protections for renters, prevent displacement, and prioritizing assistance for at-risk populations
• The intersection of homelessness and Health Care, Mental Health Care, and Behavioral Health Care
• The impact of punitive policies on individuals experiencing homelessness and explore alternative approaches that prioritize permanent housing solutions
• How to enhance coordination, improve data accuracy, and strengthen emergency response mechanisms

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Council President Kenyatta Johnson, a former Pennsylvania State Representative, represents the Second Council District which includes parts of Center City, South Philadelphia, and Southwest Philadelphia.