Fast-tracked stimulus funds being rushed through City Council deliberations

Philadelphia City Council is in a race against the clock to determine how to allocate about $14 million dollars in stimulus money. The application is due Friday, but Council disagreed at a hearing Tuesday on how those funds should be spent.

Philadelphia City Council is in a race against the clock to determine how to allocate about $14 million dollars in stimulus money. The application is due Friday, but Council disagreed at a hearing Tuesday on how those funds should be spent.

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[audio: 090602sphouse.mp3]

The block grant will be funneled through the city’s office of Housing and Community Development. The money can be used for home repair, foreclosure prevention, affordable housing, commercial corridors and the arts. But given the time constraints, the projects must be shovel-ready.

Some Council Members said they were surprised that money would be going to affordable housing at the expense of commercial corridors.

Kenney: I find it somewhat disconcerting that I have an amendment in front of me, moving around millions of dollars, that I’m supposed to approve as a member of the finance committee that I’ve had no discussion with anyone about up until probably five minutes ago.

Kenney said he did recognize the tight time frame for applying for stimulus money. Council will have to vote on the block grant allocation on Thursday.