Episode 86: Preserving Missing Middle Neighborhoods

United Transcript Mpact Podcast Episode 86: Preserving Missing Middle Neighborhoods

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods built with mobility in mind, with walkability and strong transit. Much of the housing in these neighborhoods is affordable to middle-income residents. Yet, this housing stock is under threat, from market pressures, the need for home repair and tangled titles. On this episode of the Mpact Podcast, a recording from the Tuesday plenary at the 2024 Mpact Transit + Community conference, leaders from Philadelphia share proven approaches, at the state and local level, to preserving middle-income housing and keeping transit-oriented neighborhoods affordable. As federal funding becomes increasingly in question, these examples of local leadership and innovation set a strong example.

ULI Philadelphia’s Kevin Moran leads a discussion with Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia Department of Records, James Leonard.

Podcast segments: 

• 1:15 – 6:29   ULI Philadelphia Executive Director Kevin Moran gives an overview of naturally occurring affordable housing in Philadelphia
• 6:29 –  13:23   Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval describes the state’s Whole Home Repair Program
• 13:23 – 20:14   Commissioner James Leonard from the City of Philadelphia Department of Records focuses on how the city is helping residents navigate the problems of tangled titles.
• 20:48 – 30:01   Councilmember Jamie Gauthier describes loss of low cost housing and several policies in Philadelphia to stem the tide
• 30:01 – 54:11 Discussion and Q&A

See links below to programs and reports mentioned during the podcast. 

On the plenary stage at Mpact Transit + Community 2024 in Philadelphia.
From left, Kevin Moran, James Leonard, Jamie Gauthier and Nikil Saval