Homelessness rises again in Philly
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As Philadelphia grapples with a lack of affordable housing and an ongoing opioid crisis, homelessness is worsening.
Why it matters: This comes as Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration is clearing encampments and preparing to set up a new temporary homeless shelter in Center City ahead of major events citywide in 2026.
State of play: 5,516 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness as of last January, when the city's annual point-in-time survey was conducted, per newly released city data.
- That's up 6% over the previous year.
- It marked the fourth consecutive year that homelessness has risen in Philly, and the highest total since 2020.
How it works: Teams canvass the city for the survey for one single night, visiting various locations where people experiencing homelessness gather.
- Yes, but: The survey likely undercounts the state of homelessness.
By the numbers: Philly is short more than 64,500 housing units that are affordable and available to low-income households, according to The Housing Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, the Parker administration is aiming to set up a short-term shelter at 220 N. Broad St. in Center City in January ahead of major events planned throughout Philly in 2026, including FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations around America's 250th birthday.
- It will house up to 92 individuals and offer social behavioral health, housing and recovery services, but the administration declined to provide further details.
- The new shelter would be adjacent to The Salvation Army's Eliza Shirley House on North Broad, a family emergency housing facility for up to 120 people.
- A representative from the mayor's office did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom in: More people are living unhoused in Philly compared to 2024.
- The survey found 1,178 unsheltered individuals, up 20% compared to 2024.
Plus: The majority of people experiencing homelessness were sheltered (4,338) who were living in either emergency, transition or safe-haven housing.
Context: Parker has made housing and improving conditions in Kensington, the epicenter of the heroin crisis, major pillars of her agenda.
- Her administration has cracked down on homelessness since she took office last year, with a recent sweep in Kensington earlier this month.
What they're saying: The lack of affordable housing is among the leading causes of homelessness in the city, Donna Bullock, president and CEO of the housing nonprofit Project Home, tells Axios.
- "When you have an affordable housing crisis and stagnant wages for folks, it's just really difficult for people to find housing," she says.
In Kensington, the ever-shifting drug supply and complications around recovery are some of the driving factors of homelessness, Kate Perch, the lead program officer for housing and prevention at the public health and social service provider Prevention Point, tells Axios.
- "It's not as simple as getting someone off the street and into housing; it's about addressing their substance abuse and recovery," she said.
What to watch: Bullock says that recent threats to federal food benefits and affordable housing funding could further drive up homelessness in Philly.