Should The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create the Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson to assist residents experiencing homelessness, help provide fair access to essential resources, improve quality of life in the shelter system, investigate client complaints, and provide oversight and recommendations to the City’s providers of homeless services?
The Second Ward recommends voting YES on this ballot question.
Homelessness is an important issue in Philadelphia; however, City Council continues to receive significant complaints and concerns from recipients, the public, and providers on the quality and adequacy of homeless services. In order for the City to fulfill its duty to meet the needs of the homeless, the Office of the Homeless Services Ombudsperson shall act as an advocate for Philadelphians experiencing homelessness and their families. Such advocacy may pertain not only to broader issues of law, policy, practice, and resources, but also to individual judicial, administrative and investigative matters, grievances and complaints. This Office will provide necessary oversight and accountability for the City’s provision of homeless services.
