Basic Needs

City Council expresses alarm at lack of support for homeless students

As Philadelphia prepares for the new school year, members of the City Council and others are putting serious pressure on the district to do more for students experiencing homelessness. more

Basic Needs

Education

SAMHSA celebrates 34th anniversary of American Disabilities Act

People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the U.S. population and constitute the largest minority group in the nation. more

Basic Needs

Health

BenePhilly sites remain open despite BDT closure

Even though Benefits Data Trust has closed, BenePhilly sites remain open throughout Philadelphia. more

Basic Needs

Montco creates Food Policy Council to combat food insecurity

Food pantries across Montgomery County are facing a “crisis point” of increased hunger. more

Advocacy

Basic Needs

Psychiatrist ratio in Philadelphia is 1 for every 1100 youth at risk

In Philadelphia, over 66,000 children are considered potentially at risk of having mental and behavioral disorders but there are only 60 qualified psychiatrists to provide treatment. more

Basic Needs

Health

Legislators fail to replace $3m in homeless student funds in budgets

The School District of Philadelphia will lose over $3 million of funding serving hundreds of youth it received under the American Rescue Plan to support homeless public school students by the fall.more

Basic Needs

211 Helpline offers resources to combat violence prevention

A newly launched campaign is making a strong push to raise awareness over the summer months, a time of year when violence has historically risen. more

Basic Needs

United Way

Free Library to host "primer" on mass incarceration rates

The city has the highest incarceration rate in Pennsylvania, and the most locked-up census tracts in North Philadelphia have 17 times as many people behind bars as census tracts in Center City. more

Advocacy

Basic Needs

Federal officials announce changes to home improvement program

The program allows those buying or refinancing a home to add the cost of renovations into the mortgage – combining the payments into a single loan. more

Basic Needs