Means test to be part of longtime homeowner rebate in Philly

Legislation to deliver some relief to longtime Philadelphia homeowners in gentrified areas of the city has been approved in Harrisburg. 

The measure limits relief for longtime homeowners with a means test, said Anna Adams, chief of staff to the city finance director. About $20 million in relief will be rebated to those whose property taxes have skyrocketed in areas undergoing gentrification.

“We already had the authority to do gentrification relief, what we didn’t have the ability to do is make it income based,” she said Wednesday. “This bill that passed in the state allows us to do is to make it income-based.”

City officials are working to set up a way to make sure those who qualify for the rebate know they can apply for it, Adams said.

“We’ll have forms that are very clearly listed for those specific households because we know that the property is eligible,” she said. “And then we’ll have an online app to check to see that you are eligible.”

The program is expected to be ready for launch in the next few weeks.