Legislative package seeks to make it easier to build affordable housing in Philly

If the legislation is passed, the approval process for affordable housing projects could take less time to clear. The package comes as developers continue to face other hurdles, including an ongoing spike in the cost of building materials and higher rates for construction loans.

Under one bill, the Department of Licenses and Inspections would be required to expedite the review process for zoning permit applications for these developments. The request is currently offered “to the extent capacity permits” and takes 10 days if approved. The legislation would remove the contingency and cut the turnaround time in half.

Another provision would require applicants to provide proof to L&I that their project meets the city’s definition of an “affordable housing project,” which Gauthier hopes to expand to include projects that “receive government financing or land or are protected via deed restricted or regulatory agreement,” according to a fact sheet on the legislative package.

A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the department is likely to take issues with these measures, in part because it has a history of being understaffed.

Other parts of the package seek to make operational changes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an independent board empowered to make legally binding decisions about what proposed developments get built.

Gauthier wants affordable housing projects, which routinely need variances, to get hearing dates sooner — without an increase to the application price. It can currently take nine months for a developer to receive approval from the ZBA, which grants permission to deviate from the city’s zoning code.

The bill would also make it mandatory for developers to make an official commitment to the ZBA, as well as the relevant registered community organization, to build the affordable housing they’ve proposed. Under the measure, the board could not grant a variance without this provision.

“This is the city doing what is in our control to make the development of affordable housing even easier for established developers but also for people who have too much house, maybe,” Gauthier said.

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