[VT- Philadelphia, PA]July 14, 2025 – City Councilmembers joined leaders from community development corporations (CDCs) this morning to celebrate a major win in the City of Philadelphia’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget: the allocation of $3.5 million in flexible funding to support the vital work of CDCs across the city. The funding was announced at a press conference held at 10th and Winter Streets, with remarks from several Councilmembers and CDC leaders highlighting the importance of this investment in neighborhood-led development.
The funding program, designed by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier in partnership with the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC), is intended to provide Philadelphia’s network of over 60 CDCs with the resources needed to respond quickly and strategically to the evolving needs of their neighborhoods.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier: “We can grow our communities alongside, not without, our neighbors.”
In a powerful speech, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Chair of the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless, spoke about the deeper significance of the funding:
“We rely on Philly’s CDCs to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods, and to deliver critical services like affordable housing and economic opportunity. This $3.5 million investment is one of the most meaningful victories we secured in the FY26 budget.”
Gauthier directly addressed the common misconception that communities oppose development:
“There’s a myth that our neighborhoods are against development. But my experience—as a lifelong West Philadelphian, city planner, and now councilmember—has shown me that this just isn’t true. The reality is, communities have been left out of decision-making for too long. When development happens to people rather than with them, distrust grows. But CDCs prove that it doesn’t have to be that way.”
She shared stories of CDCs that are reshaping communities in collaboration with residents:
- Community of Compassion CDC is building senior housing in Cobbs Creek, allowing elderly neighbors to age with dignity in the community they’ve long called home.
- Lancaster Avenue 21st Century CDC is revitalizing a historic commercial corridor, helping residents launch their own businesses and sustaining family-owned shops.
- AANA’s Africatown Project in Southwest Philadelphia is grounding African and Caribbean immigrant communities in a place that has long served as a gateway for new Americans.
Gauthier also praised ACHIEVEability, located in her district, for its transformative workforce development and family self-sufficiency programs.
“This is just a small sample of the incredible work being done in just one council district. Across Philadelphia, CDCs are doing the kind of work often left to municipal agencies, but with a level of community trust and responsiveness that makes them uniquely effective.”
Call for Long-Term Investment
While celebrating the one-time funding, Councilmember Gauthier urged the city to think bigger:
“We cannot rest on our laurels. This $3.5 million is a huge step, but Philadelphia needs to follow it with sustained, multi-year support. CDCs need stability to plan for the future and grow their impact.”
She thanked Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose finance staff member Stefan Johnson represented him at the event, as well as Councilmember Rue Landau, Vice Chair of the Housing Committee, and Councilmember Mark Squilla, who hosted the event in his 1st District. Gauthier also acknowledged the Parker Administration for recognizing the importance of the investment and approving it in the FY26 budget.
CDC Leaders Speak Out
Several CDC leaders also spoke at the press conference, expressing their gratitude and emphasizing the need for continued support:
“This flexible funding allows CDCs to advance equity in our neighborhoods—supporting residents to build generational wealth, preserve affordable housing, and grow local businesses,” said Jamila Harris-Morrison, Executive Director of ACHIEVEability.
“This investment helps CDCs lead planning processes by the people, for the people. It aligns the city’s H.O.M.E. Plan with what communities truly want,” said John Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation.
PACDC Executive Director Rick Sauer added:
“We applaud City Council for this important investment. But for long-term impact, we need a permanent, multi-year funding program at scale.”
Why CDCs Matter
Community Development Corporations are nonprofit organizations rooted in the communities they serve. As 501(c)(3) entities, CDCs work to revitalize neighborhoods through affordable housing development, economic opportunity, workforce programs, and public space improvements. Their deep local knowledge and trust allow them to address complex challenges with tailored solutions.
A Promising First Step
The $3.5 million allocation is a landmark moment for CDCs and the city, but Councilmembers and community leaders agree that the ultimate goal is a long-term, institutionalized funding mechanism.
“This funding is an investment in stronger, more resilient neighborhoods,” said Gauthier. “It’s a vote of confidence in our communities. Now let’s make it permanent.”
As the city implements its new housing plan and works to address the rising cost of living, City Council and community organizations are signaling a shared commitment to inclusive, equitable development—led not by outside interests, but by the people who live and work in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods every day.
