Committee on Housing 11-9-26

Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless held a public hearing on November 9, 2026, under Resolution 260101, examining the Office of Property Assessment’s (OPA) assessment methodology, appeals process, and the effects of rising assessments and property taxes. The main procurement-related item was an RFP through the Office of the Director of Finance to engage an independent qualified firm to review OPA’s mass-appraisal practices and operations, including equity and fairness and whether alternative methods could reduce disparities. OPA said the RFP had been issued earlier in the year and reissued; no vendor selection, contract award, or contract amount was announced. The committee requested a separate, more detailed review of the task force report and pressed for clearer timelines and accountability for implementing recommendations.

Testimony from officials, legal-services and community organizations, landlords, and homeowners addressed assessment accuracy, neighborhood-level disparities, limited access to property data, confusing notices and appeals, and the burden of higher tax bills on longtime and low- and moderate-income residents. Witnesses recommended more transparent, property-specific explanations and comparable sales, accessible appeal procedures, stronger tax relief and outreach, and ongoing oversight. No spending authorization or procurement vote was taken; the committee concluded the hearing while committing to continue work on actionable reforms.