City to receive funding to address homelessness, incarceration
Philadelphia was selected to participate in the Just Home Project, a national program to advance community-driven efforts to break the link between homelessness and incarceration led by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute. Philadelphia will receive $262,179 to create a plan to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and continued engagement with the criminal justice system. At the end of the planning process, Philadelphia is eligible to apply for additional funding from the MacArthur Foundation to implement its plan and acquire or develop housing for populations that are not currently served by existing housing resources.
“The City of Philadelphia is honored to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with the MacArthur Foundation as part of a national cohort of jurisdictions associated with the Just Home Project,” shared Adam Geer, Chief Public Safety Director, City of Philadelphia. “Housing insecurity has long been established as a barrier to successful reentry for the ‘justice-involved’ members of our community and we look forward to working with key stakeholders across the housing, community development and criminal justice systems to develop impactful and sustainable interventions for people at the intersection of housing insecurity and criminal justice involvement.”
PGW customers can apply for $1K to pay for heating
Philadelphia Gas Works urges families, students, Philadelphia renters and homeowners to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to receive up to $1,000 in free money for their natural gas bills.
LIHEAP grants are available for both homeowners and renters, and do not have to be repaid. The LIHEAP application ends when funds run out or by April 4.
Residents can apply by texting the word “CASH” to 77037 to receive an application; by downloading a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com; by visiting a Neighborhood Energy Center to receive in-person guidance and payment assistance counseling; or by visiting Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP Assistance Office at 1163 S. Broad St.
Applicants must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements. Eligibility guidelines are available at https://www.pgworks.com.
“All of our customers deserve access to affordable, safe and reliable natural gas service without compromising their basic needs. Many Philadelphians are eligible for this money that is free – don’t leave money on the table this winter,” said Denise Adamucci, Senior Vice President, Customer and Regulatory Affairs at PGW. “We are committed to easing the financial energy burden on hardworking Philadelphians. Please share this valuable information with family, friends and neighbors who may benefit from the LIHEAP grant as we approach colder months.”
Parker details action plan to streamline and improve city contracts process
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced her plan to tackle a long-standing problem decades in the making — streamlining the city’s contracting process with nonprofit and for-profit organizations that do business with the city and provide services to residents. The mayor shared her directive to senior leaders in her administration that they must conform and approve every remaining overdue contract and pay all due invoices by Nov. 29. These remaining contracts total $389,303,503.
“It is my commitment that the city will make good on our promise to pay provider partners for the vital services that they deliver to our residents on a daily basis,” Parker said. “This chronic problem of the city paying its bills on a timely basis didn’t originate on our watch – but hear me on this: We are going to fix it.”
Parker was joined at the news conference by City Controller Christy Brady, whose office released a report in September on the city’s contracting award process and the nonprofit exemption issue. Standing next to Brady, Parker pledged to review all aspects of the report and to move forward with needed improvements. Brady credited the mayor and her administration for taking on this difficult issue of the city’s contracting and payment process.
In just over 72 hours of convening the Action Team, the Parker administration has been able to conform 91 contracts – with 369 more contracts still to be conformed. City staff will be working around the clock to meet the deadlines set by Parker and her senior leadership team, led by Chief of Staff Tiffany Thurman and Chief Administrative Officer Camille Duchaussee.
“The mayor has given us a directive – conform every outstanding contract by Nov. 8 and get them paid in an appropriate fashion by Nov. 29 – and we intend to meet and satisfy that directive,” said Thurman.
Additionally, the mayor convened about 100 businesses and nonprofit vendors for an in-person conversation in which she not only shared the process for resolving the outstanding contracts and invoices but reiterated her commitment to revamping the process moving forward. Parker also thanked the Pew Charitable Trusts for its assistance on contract and procurement issues both in Philadelphia and around the country.
“We’re working with all stakeholders, as well as partnering with Pew Charitable Trusts, to not only address the instant concerns but to realize contracting and procurement reforms,” said Duchaussee. “We look forward to working with Pew, our provider and organizational partners on the transformation of these processes.”
Support cancer research
Philly Kicking Cancer’s Ugly Sweater Party will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at O’Neal’s Pub, 611 S. 3rd St. Tickets cost $20. There will be an open bar, 50-50 and prizes for the ugliest sweaters. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Apply for scholarship
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia opened its 2025-26 application season. CSFP will award 2,000 new scholarships to eligible students this year, while continuing to support prior recipients.
These need-based, K-8th grade scholarships are available for Philadelphia families interested in sending their students to more than 150 tuition-based schools throughout the city. The updated tier award amounts will total $1,250, $2,500 and $3,350, reflecting incremental updates to the previous tiered amounts. All CSFP students receive scholarships through eighth grade. CSFP scholarships are awarded through a random lottery and are available for up to three children per family per year.
Apply by Nov. 15 to be entered into a December lottery.
CSFP previously released a report detailing evidence that the fund’s students outperform their public school peers in both math and reading on standardized tests.Families can apply at www.csfphiladelphia.org/apply. ••
