June 5, 2025 • 9 mins
🎙️ FreshStartPHL – Helping Renters Bridge the Gap We’re talking about a new initiative designed to help working Philadelphians move toward stable housing. Joining us is David Thomas, President and CEO of PHDC—Philadelphia’s full-service community development organization. David shares insights about FreshStartPHL, a pilot program that helps renters cover the upfront costs of moving into a new home. Whether it's first and last month’s rent, security deposits, or relocation expenses, FreshStartPHL is bridging the gap for individuals and families ready to take the next step.
🔗 Learn More:
• 🌐 phdcphila.org/freshstartphl
• 📱 Social Media: @PHLPlanDevelop on all platforms
🔗 Learn More:
• 🌐 phdcphila.org/freshstartphl
• 📱 Social Media: @PHLPlanDevelop on all platforms
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. First as shout out to
the Fact Experience at SCI Phoenix, a program that connects
the men behind the walls of Phoenix with their kids
with the aim of breaking the cradle to prison pipeline.
Congrats to Cohort fifteen, which just held their commencement ceremony
(00:22):
last week.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Not a dry eye in the house.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
But first, we'll be talking about a new program that
helps working Philadelphies take the next step towards secure housing.
I'm joined by David Thomas, President and CEO of PhDc,
Philadelphia's full service community development organization. He's going to tell
us about fresh Start PHL, a new pilot program that
helps renters cover the cost of moving into a new home. So, Dave,
(00:50):
always great to see you. What is fresh Start PHL
and how does it support renters in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
It's always great to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Fresh Start phil as a pilot program that really focuses
on the cost to move. As you know, Philadelphia, like
many places, the cost of living is challenging. Affordability is
becoming much more difficult here in Philadelphia, in particular, you know,
we administered an emergency rental assistance program during the COVID time,
(01:20):
and we certainly learned a lot about the challenges that
folks are facing. No, we're out of COVID, those challenges
have not diminished. I'd probably argue that they've gotten tremendously
greater since the time before COVID. So the city along
with PhDc worked together to put together the program called
Fresh Start. Fresh Starters is designed to bridge the gap
(01:43):
for those that may be able to afford the monthly
rents but can't get over the hurdle to even get.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Into the unit.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
You know, we're talking about first month, last month, security depositive.
I mean, if you just think about it conceptually, if
a two bedroom apartment it's fifteen hundred dollar month, you
have to come up with literally five thousand dollars to
get into that unit. So our program is designed to
help you get over that hurdle. We're offering first lasts
(02:10):
and security deposit as well as moving expenses because we
know that that also hinders people's ability and oftentimes people
have to decide.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
You know, when they make that move, they get into
a unit, they have to move.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
The cost to move is there, and then they're Facebook challenges.
We're paying that monthly rent that comes soon thereafter, right,
so we believe that this is an opportunity for folks
to get exactly what we call it the first start.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Well, that's great because that deposit that first month, last month,
and then security deposit can really add up. And even
if you can afford that rent per month, having to
come up with all that cash upfront can be such
a strain.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Who qualifies for Fresh Start PHL.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Like with all of our programs that we administer here
in the city, there's always an incomeitation. This program is
no different. It's a pilot program right now. Our funding
is limited. I will tell you so please. I want
to encourage your listeners that don't hesitate get in the queue.
If you're looking for a place to move, you're looking
for a place to get that fresh start, I encourage
(03:17):
you to apply.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
For these funds.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
The income requirements to give an example, my family four
has to make less than ninety five thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
That's not too high, but it's not too low either.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah ya.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
It's a good sweet spot where we can provide the
necessary resources for those families to get a footing and
get stabilized here in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Now we understand that landlords have to agree to accept
the funding. Can you walk us through how that part
of the process works.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
So, just like through our tenant eviction foreclosure program tending
eviction process, landlords have to agree. So for instance, landlord
has to have a license, has to be licensed landlord.
We need a signed lease. Landlord has to for the
most part, give us a term that shows that the
lease is for a year that is not very much
(04:10):
more different different than that again, your license, because we
often have situations where landlords are not licensed in Philadelphia.
That's a big problem in Philadelphia. We also do an
inspection of the unit to make sure that the unit
is habitable. We don't want to give money to people
to move into a property that is inhabitable.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
We're trying to be very thoughtful in terms of how
we go about that.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
But other than that, there isn't much more of a
hurdle than those things right there. But folks are interested,
they can go apply at pH d C phil pH
d C, Phila dot Org PS and Paul hs and
Harry Ds and David cs in Corporation.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Phila p h I l a dot org all one word.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Okay, So since this is a pilot program, what are
the next steps once funding runs out? And how can
residents or supporters help advocate for its continuation.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Well, that's a good point. As with many pilot programs.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Obviously, the longevity of a program is this use, is
this need residents. We see that the need is greater
than what we anticipated, that program probably will have a
longevity to it. If that program doesn't get too much attraction,
obviously that program gets reworked and we come up with
some other avenue to address. So some of the challenges
that we've seen, quite honestly, is finding units.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Okay, interesting, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Folks are having difficulty finding units that they can afford, right, Okay,
So even though we have the resources to help you
get in, how to make sure that you can pay
that monthly and so folks are having difficulty finding those
units in areas that they have desires to live. We
have a bold initiative by this administration, this mayor we
have a home initiative. We're trying to put more units
on online. We're trying to preserve more units, so hopefully
(05:53):
we'll be able to fill that void that we see
exists today in terms of finding available units. We have
a multitude of programs that this Mayor is boldly putting forward.
And I do believe that if this program catches fire,
like many of our programs have, they've already we the administration,
the challesel have already committed.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
To keeping the program.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
I'm going it has a very good chance of growing
and continuing, and again, if it doesn't necessarily meet the need,
we make adjustments and we meet the challenge.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
It's obviously something very needed, and it's interesting that you
mentioned that when the challenges is finding the affordable units.
So we're very excited to hear what the mayor is
planning in terms of providing more affordable housing for low
and middle income individuals here in Philadelphia. Where can people
go to apply and how can they stay updated on
(06:48):
other housing and community resources offered by PhDc.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Yes, thank you for that, because we do have a
great deal of programs available for our residents. You know,
we have grant programs us for home repair. We have
grant programs to help modify the home for people having
difficulty getting around with physical disabilities. We have a rental
improvement program for landlords who want to make improvements to
(07:13):
units that are being rented at affordable rates to our
residents here in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
That is a forgivable loan.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Predicated on you making that unit of available and affordable
for a.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Period of time.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
So we have a lot and your listeners can visit
our website at p h d C Philip That's one
word p h d C Philler, p h I l
a dot org for fresh Start, for forward slash fresh
Start phil fresh Start Field. That's for the Fresh Start
(07:48):
program and for all the other programs. You can simply
do the same thing forward slash.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
You can get.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Forward slash Rental Improvement for an r IF, forward slash
BSRP for the basis of the repair program, or you
just go to my website and browse the web page
and to direct you to the areas.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Soon, I'll have a.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Web automated system that allows folks to go online, pull
up a menu of assortment of programs and it will
allow you to answer certain questions and we'll point you
in the direction of all the programs that you will
be auligible for.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Oh that's fantastic, I can't wait to see that. Of course,
you can also go again as you mentioned Phdcphila dot org,
slash backslash fresh Start PHL and you can also follow
at PHL plan develop on all the social media. Great
work out there at PhDc to make a housing affordable
(08:44):
for all we needed, and you guys are doing some
great work to help people afford having that first and
last month of rent and that safety deposit, that security
deposit that can be such a huge barrier for so
many people trying to get into affordable housing. So we
thank you for this pilot program. Hopefully our listeners are
(09:06):
hearing it and will apply because we want to make
sure that all that money gets spent in the ways
that it's supposed to be. So, Dave Thomas, thank you
so much for joining us, President and CEO of PhDc,
Philadelphia's full service community development organization.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Thank you so much, Thank you. Thanks again. Hope to
hear from your listeners. Let's get that money on the street.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. First as shout out to
the Fact Experience at SCI Phoenix, a program that connects
the men behind the walls of Phoenix with their kids
with the aim of breaking the cradle to prison pipeline.
Congrats to Cohort fifteen, which just held their commencement ceremony
(00:22):
last week.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Not a dry eye in the house.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
But first, we'll be talking about a new program that
helps working Philadelphies take the next step towards secure housing.
I'm joined by David Thomas, President and CEO of PhDc,
Philadelphia's full service community development organization. He's going to tell
us about fresh Start PHL, a new pilot program that
helps renters cover the cost of moving into a new home. So, Dave,
(00:50):
always great to see you. What is fresh Start PHL
and how does it support renters in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
It's always great to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Fresh Start phil as a pilot program that really focuses
on the cost to move. As you know, Philadelphia, like
many places, the cost of living is challenging. Affordability is
becoming much more difficult here in Philadelphia, in particular, you know,
we administered an emergency rental assistance program during the COVID time,
(01:20):
and we certainly learned a lot about the challenges that
folks are facing. No, we're out of COVID, those challenges
have not diminished. I'd probably argue that they've gotten tremendously
greater since the time before COVID. So the city along
with PhDc worked together to put together the program called
Fresh Start. Fresh Starters is designed to bridge the gap
(01:43):
for those that may be able to afford the monthly
rents but can't get over the hurdle to even get.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Into the unit.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
You know, we're talking about first month, last month, security depositive.
I mean, if you just think about it conceptually, if
a two bedroom apartment it's fifteen hundred dollar month, you
have to come up with literally five thousand dollars to
get into that unit. So our program is designed to
help you get over that hurdle. We're offering first lasts
(02:10):
and security deposit as well as moving expenses because we
know that that also hinders people's ability and oftentimes people
have to decide.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
You know, when they make that move, they get into
a unit, they have to move.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
The cost to move is there, and then they're Facebook challenges.
We're paying that monthly rent that comes soon thereafter, right,
so we believe that this is an opportunity for folks
to get exactly what we call it the first start.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Well, that's great because that deposit that first month, last month,
and then security deposit can really add up. And even
if you can afford that rent per month, having to
come up with all that cash upfront can be such
a strain.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Who qualifies for Fresh Start PHL.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Like with all of our programs that we administer here
in the city, there's always an incomeitation. This program is
no different. It's a pilot program right now. Our funding
is limited. I will tell you so please. I want
to encourage your listeners that don't hesitate get in the queue.
If you're looking for a place to move, you're looking
for a place to get that fresh start, I encourage
(03:17):
you to apply.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
For these funds.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
The income requirements to give an example, my family four
has to make less than ninety five thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
That's not too high, but it's not too low either.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah ya.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
It's a good sweet spot where we can provide the
necessary resources for those families to get a footing and
get stabilized here in our city.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Now we understand that landlords have to agree to accept
the funding. Can you walk us through how that part
of the process works.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
So, just like through our tenant eviction foreclosure program tending
eviction process, landlords have to agree. So for instance, landlord
has to have a license, has to be licensed landlord.
We need a signed lease. Landlord has to for the
most part, give us a term that shows that the
lease is for a year that is not very much
(04:10):
more different different than that again, your license, because we
often have situations where landlords are not licensed in Philadelphia.
That's a big problem in Philadelphia. We also do an
inspection of the unit to make sure that the unit
is habitable. We don't want to give money to people
to move into a property that is inhabitable.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
We're trying to be very thoughtful in terms of how
we go about that.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
But other than that, there isn't much more of a
hurdle than those things right there. But folks are interested,
they can go apply at pH d C phil pH
d C, Phila dot Org PS and Paul hs and
Harry Ds and David cs in Corporation.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Phila p h I l a dot org all one word.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Okay, So since this is a pilot program, what are
the next steps once funding runs out? And how can
residents or supporters help advocate for its continuation.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Well, that's a good point. As with many pilot programs.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Obviously, the longevity of a program is this use, is
this need residents. We see that the need is greater
than what we anticipated, that program probably will have a
longevity to it. If that program doesn't get too much attraction,
obviously that program gets reworked and we come up with
some other avenue to address. So some of the challenges
that we've seen, quite honestly, is finding units.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Okay, interesting, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Folks are having difficulty finding units that they can afford, right, Okay,
So even though we have the resources to help you
get in, how to make sure that you can pay
that monthly and so folks are having difficulty finding those
units in areas that they have desires to live. We
have a bold initiative by this administration, this mayor we
have a home initiative. We're trying to put more units
on online. We're trying to preserve more units, so hopefully
(05:53):
we'll be able to fill that void that we see
exists today in terms of finding available units. We have
a multitude of programs that this Mayor is boldly putting forward.
And I do believe that if this program catches fire,
like many of our programs have, they've already we the administration,
the challesel have already committed.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
To keeping the program.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
I'm going it has a very good chance of growing
and continuing, and again, if it doesn't necessarily meet the need,
we make adjustments and we meet the challenge.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
It's obviously something very needed, and it's interesting that you
mentioned that when the challenges is finding the affordable units.
So we're very excited to hear what the mayor is
planning in terms of providing more affordable housing for low
and middle income individuals here in Philadelphia. Where can people
go to apply and how can they stay updated on
(06:48):
other housing and community resources offered by PhDc.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Yes, thank you for that, because we do have a
great deal of programs available for our residents. You know,
we have grant programs us for home repair. We have
grant programs to help modify the home for people having
difficulty getting around with physical disabilities. We have a rental
improvement program for landlords who want to make improvements to
(07:13):
units that are being rented at affordable rates to our
residents here in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
That is a forgivable loan.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Predicated on you making that unit of available and affordable
for a.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Period of time.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
So we have a lot and your listeners can visit
our website at p h d C Philip That's one
word p h d C Philler, p h I l
a dot org for fresh Start, for forward slash fresh
Start phil fresh Start Field. That's for the Fresh Start
(07:48):
program and for all the other programs. You can simply
do the same thing forward slash.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
You can get.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Forward slash Rental Improvement for an r IF, forward slash
BSRP for the basis of the repair program, or you
just go to my website and browse the web page
and to direct you to the areas.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Soon, I'll have a.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Web automated system that allows folks to go online, pull
up a menu of assortment of programs and it will
allow you to answer certain questions and we'll point you
in the direction of all the programs that you will
be auligible for.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Oh that's fantastic, I can't wait to see that. Of course,
you can also go again as you mentioned Phdcphila dot org,
slash backslash fresh Start PHL and you can also follow
at PHL plan develop on all the social media. Great
work out there at PhDc to make a housing affordable
(08:44):
for all we needed, and you guys are doing some
great work to help people afford having that first and
last month of rent and that safety deposit, that security
deposit that can be such a huge barrier for so
many people trying to get into affordable housing. So we
thank you for this pilot program. Hopefully our listeners are
(09:06):
hearing it and will apply because we want to make
sure that all that money gets spent in the ways
that it's supposed to be. So, Dave Thomas, thank you
so much for joining us, President and CEO of PhDc,
Philadelphia's full service community development organization.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Thank you so much, Thank you. Thanks again. Hope to
hear from your listeners. Let's get that money on the street.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
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