# Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative/Innovative Economy 09-30-26

Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities & the Creative/Innovative Economy held a public hearing on September 30, 2026, regarding Resolution 2550879, a set of recommendations for making Philadelphia more affordable. The task-force report addressed housing, transit, utilities, food access, and the care economy. Testimony urged the city to preserve expiring affordable housing subsidies, including 925 units serving about 3,000 residents at risk if Neighborhood Restoration properties are sold; one resident cited a proposed $36 million investment over six years to keep those properties affordable. Speakers also called for a permanent Transit Access Fund to sustain and expand the Zero Fare program, broader automatic enrollment in city benefits, aligned eligibility rules, and sustained support for community food organizations and infrastructure. A food-access advocate said the city distributed $7 million to grassroots organizations after a SNAP disruption, but the short spending window limited some groups’ ability to use the funds effectively.

No procurement award, solicitation, contract approval, or spending motion was identified, and the committee took no vote on the resolution; the hearing was recessed to the call of the chair. The proposals discussed could shape future city budget and funding decisions, including housing preservation, transit assistance, food-system capacity, and care services. Witnesses also supported keeping the water department publicly owned and raised concerns about utility costs and data-center energy demand.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Transportation
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Sources
- [Committee on Global Opportunities & Creative/Innovative Economy 09-30-26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPGTF3_9v8o) - Philadelphia City Council