Developers Criticize City's Point Breeze Affordable Housing Plan
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A controversial plan to build new affordable housing in the city's Point Breeze section was given an initial okay Tuesday by a City Council committee.
The plan by the city's Redevelopment Authority is to acquire dozens of Point Breeze lots for new subsidized housing. The properties would be seized by the city through the process of condemnation and eminent domain.
At the hearing, RDA Executive Director Ed Covington said the number of parcels to be seized was dropping from the original 43 down to 28.
Opposing even the revised plan are some local developers, led by Ori Feibush.
"I still can't figure out why the city cannot build on the hundreds of lots it currently owns in Point Breeze, before it tries to condemn privately owned lots for affordable housing developments."
Despite the developer's protests, the committee approved the RDA plan and a final vote could come by month's end.
