Philadelphia Housing Authority cuts 82 jobs

Employees of the Philadelphia Housing Authority may not think the agency is living up to its motto of “building beyond expectations.” The stated reason: Sequestration.

From a PHS press release: “The agency faces a $32 million cut in federal funding. PHA relies on the Department of Housing and Urban Development for over 90 percent of its funding. Since Congress passed a spending bill earlier this week the cut is $10 million less than what was expected. These cuts come within days of the U.S. Census Bureau report that Philadelphia has the highest rate of deep poverty in the 10 most populous cities.”

The PHA can’t serve the city without federal money, said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, the agency’s president & CEO. He says the cuts are necessary to prevent diminished service to its clients.

The 82 employees were given one week’s severance pay and confidential access to employment assistsance.

The total savings with salary and benefits is nearly $7.2 million.