We know you are passionate about Philly. We are too. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to leading the Shared Public Spaces Workgroup over the past 18 months to explore the evolving nature of homelessness, prescribe solutions and act on street homelessness, food access and the code of conduct that guides public behavior. We are writing today to share some of the results of that work. We are optimistic about the progress and what’s underway to ensure safety, respect and dignity for all in the public areas we share: sidewalks, parks, transit stations, plazas and streets. We also understand that the limited financial resources available to aggressively pursue lasting solutions means that we must continue to develop creative and cooperative means to affect real change. Read our progress with shared public spaces.
Information
The following materials provide useful information about homelessness.
Transit Stations
Suburban Station Concourse – How to Respond Guide
Read the Guide
FAQs about Homelessness – Spotlight on Transit Stations
Read the FAQs
Need somewhere to go during the day?
Visit a Recovery Learning Center! A New Life and The Well are here to help you!
View the flyer
Services and Resources
Many sites citywide offer free meals. Some are for men only, some for seniors only. Some are wheelchair accessible. Many offer more services than just free meals.
View the Flyer
Best practices for creating safe and dignified experiences for emergency meal guests.
View the flyer
2016-2017 Panhandling Survey
The Office of the Deputy Managing Director for Health and Human Services interviewed 129 persons found panhandling from November 2016 to January 2017. Interviewees responded to questions on panhandling behavior, income and benefits, housing, and health.
The key findings are:
- People who panhandle in Center City Philadelphia also live in Philadelphia.
- They treat their activity like a full-time job.
- They earn a meager wage, which they use for essentials.
- People who panhandle would like to be employed, but face significant barriers to employment.
- The panhandling population experiences housing instability.
- The opioid epidemic has had an apparent effect on panhandling in Philadelphia.
- Panhandling is an individual activity and is routinely censured by authorities.
Read the Survey Report ♦ View the Survey Presentation ♦ Read the Executive Summary
Establish Shared Public Spaces Public-Private Workgroup
Philadelphia is a City For All
We all share our public spaces – parks, plazas, streets, transit stations – and more. Lively shared spaces make the City fun and exciting, but they can also be crowded, dirty or even scary. Philly’s welcome growth has also created pressures. We need to renegotiate how we use our public spaces so we can all enjoy them safely, and ensure that all are treated with dignity and respect.
Mission – Take action to:
→ Ensure safety, respect and dignity for all in the public areas we share -parks, transit stations, plazas, streets;
→ Constructively address panhandling, chronic street homelessness and food access;
→ Expand alternatives – housing, jobs and services – accompanied by a code of conduct.
Co-Chairs
Brian Abernathy, Deputy Managing Director
Julie Coker Graham, PA Visitors and Convention Board
Four Areas For Action
- CODE OF CONDUCT, SERVICE ALTERNATIVES
To establish clear standards for behavior in shared public spaces together with the tools and engagement to support it.
Co-Chairs: Eva Gladstein, Managing Director’s Office and Don Haas, BOMA
Members: Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Association, MHS-SEPA, DBHIDS, Police, Parks & Rec., CCD, WAWA, Parkway Council, Commerce, City Council, Temple U, Other Stakeholders
- CHRONIC STREET HOMELESSNESS
To strategize and implement real solutions to chronic street homelessness
Co-Chairs: Liz Hersh, Office of Homeless Services and John McNichol, PA Convention Center
Members: Avenue of The Arts, Chronic Homelessness Partnership, City Council, Clergy, DBHIDS , Friends of Aviator Park, Friends of Rittenhouse Square, Metro Market, PHA, Other Stakeholders
- FOOD ACCESS, SAFETY & DIGNITY
To improve access to indoor meals and improve dignity and safety to meals when served outdoors
Co-Chairs: Mitch Little, CEO and Joe Pyle, Scattergood Foundation
Members: Parkway Foundation, Broad Street Ministry, Center City District, Food Access Collaborative, City Council, Other Stakeholders
- MARKETING & PUBLIC EDUCATION
To develop and implement messaging, public information and communications for all around shared public spaces – business, residents and visitors
Co-Chairs: Beverly Harper, Portfolio Associates; Alicia Taylor, Managing Director’s Office
Members: Center City District, Visit Philly, Hotel Association, Homeless Services, Avenue of the Arts, Other Stakeholders
Workgroup Documents
Shared Public Spaces Workgroup All Member Meeting
with Recommended Action Steps
Code of Conduct and Service Alternatives Subcommittee Meetings
Minutes and Materials
Chronic Homeless Subcommittee
Strategize and implement real solutions to chronic street homelessness.
Read the goals
Scenario lays out the problem of homelessness, the capacity and assets of the City’s current system and a selection of high impact strategies for addressing the problem.
Read Our Vision for Philadelphia
Agenda and Materials Meeting
January 26, 2017