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City of Philadelphia Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Resources about housing options, safety and services
└ Resources about housing options, safety and services
An eviction prevention pilot program enabled tenants and landlords to resolve disputes before they escalated to formal eviction filings. The City of Philadelphia's two-month program provided mediation, financial assistance, information and referrals to help landlords and tenants reach mutually agreeable, out-of-court solutions. To do this, the City worked with partner agencies to train 10 experienced mediators in landlord-tenant law. The program also set up meetings between tenant advocates and tenants prior to mediation to assess their situation and offer advice. All participating landlords and tenants reported they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the pilot. Moving forward, the City plans to use the results of this pilot as a model for a 12-month mediation program. In the long term, the City expects to see fewer evictions, reduced displacement and cost savings for landlords, property managers and the local homeless services system.
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Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Philadelphia's shortage of affordable housing and restrictive zoning left older adults with few options to age in place. The Discovering Philadelphia's Missing Middle project engaged residents through workshops and surveys to shape designs for accessory dwelling units and other housing types. It also hosted a citywide design competition to spark dialogue. The effort raised awareness, produced advocacy materials and built momentum for policy reform. One steering committee member said, "Convenings like this are essential...we need this type of comprehensive thinking in Philadelphia."
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Activities that address social isolation and facilitate community connections
Description: Philadelphia's older adult population faces high poverty and isolation, yet programs addressing these needs were hard to find. The Cultural Alliance launched the Social Impact Database, compiling data from 50 nonprofits into a searchable directory of more than 100 programs serving over 700,000 residents. Shared online and with all 17 City Council offices, the resource highlights free initiatives from arts therapy to food access. A webinar and media coverage amplified its reach, and organizations used survey incentives to strengthen offerings. "We will definitely consult this resource," said a Council staffer, signaling its role in connecting older adults to vital services and shaping future civic engagement.
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