January 26, 2024
Colleen Claggett/for PhillyVoice
Philadelphia City Council's majority leader, Katherine Gilmore Richardson (pictured above at the Met on Jan. 2, 2024), expressed concerns about 'questionable mismanagement of funds' from the city's Office of Homeless Services.
As Philadelphia City Council resumed in-person sessions, its new majority leader wasted no time addressing overspending from the city's Office of Homeless Services.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced legislation yesterday to hold public hearings investigating OHS operations and establish a new ombudsperson who would oversee the office. Hearings would be held by the Committee on Finance.
The OHS website, which is meant to provide aid and temporary housing to those experiencing homelessness, states that "OHS no longer has funds for homelessness prevention and must temporarily stop accepting applications." Vendors and nonprofits providing shelter have experienced partial or severely delayed payments.
Gilmore Richardson specifically criticized former Mayor Jim Kenney's administration's apparent misuse of funds and overspending, along with a lack of quality OHS services.
"I was extremely appalled to see that the Office of Homeless Services claims that they can no longer provide services to residents who need immediate shelter," Gilmore Richardson said. "I am even more disappointed to see that some people think this is connected to City Council not providing $5 million in current year spending. After years of questionable mismanagement of funds and providing poor customer service, despite significant increases in funding from City Council, it is time to ensure unhoused constituents have an advocate working directly for them."
Philly's inspector general Alexander F. DeSantis began an investigation into the OHS last month regarding the office overspending about $15 million.
Last year, when the OHS requested nearly $15 million as a result of its shortfall, Gilmore Richardson pushed for City Council to deny the request. City Council instead provided only $9.6 million for outstanding invoices from 2021 to 2023.
It remains unclear how the OHS has been spending its funds. The OHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
