Press Releases
RELEASE: City of Philadelphia Closes Covid Prevention Hotels at Height of Pandemic, Moves Residents Into Former Halfway Houses and Congregate ‘Interim’ Facilities
December 15, 2020
RELEASE: Philadelphia Housing Action claims victory after 6 month direct action campaign forces City to relinquish 50 vacant homes to community land trust.
September 26, 2020
RELEASE: Philadelphia Housing Action Releases Summary and Documentation of History of Negotiations with the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Authority
September 19, 2020
RELEASE: JTD Encampment Demands Safety, Housing, and Meeting with Mayor Kenney
September 10, 2020
RELEASE: City rejects proposals from Philadelphia Housing Action; fails to provide housing options for encampment protesters.
August 14th, 2020
RELEASE: Philadelphia Housing Action Submits Freedom of Information Act Request to Investigate Violations of Ethics Rules by Vocal Supporters
August 10th, 2020
Press Release: City of Philadelphia Cites Sanitation as Primary Reason for Evicting Homeless Encampment, Simultaneously Undermines Encampment Sanitation with Email release
July 16th, 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY: City Pressures Porta-potty Rental Company to End Contract with Homeless Encampment During Global Pandemic with Press Packet
July 16th, 2020
Press Conference Media Advisory and Press Packet
July 13th, 2020
Philadelphia Housing Action Defends Homeless Family from Illegal Ejectment
July 10th, 2020 by Philadelphia Housing Action
JTD Camp on the Parkway Cuts Off Negotiations with the City
July 9th, 2020 by Philadelphia Housing Action
National Coverage
How Housing Activists Took On Philadelphia and Won
March 29th 2021 by Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein
The New Republic
A Housing Rights Activist Shares Her Story
February 19, 2021 – Video 8:27
PBS American Portrait
Free The Land: Sterling Johnson and Jenn Bennetch, Philadelphia Housing Action
February 13th, 2021 – Audio 45:32
The Next World: A Podcast About Building Movements
Housing Is A Human Right
February 12th, 2021 -Video 26:42
The Laura Flanders Show
Squatting, Rebellion, Movement: An Interview with Philadelphia Housing Action
January 30, 2021
It’s Going Down
Occupy, Takeover: How Philadelphia Housing Action Turned Vacant Buildings Into Homes
January 29, 2021
It’s Going Down
As an Eviction Crisis Looms, Tenant Organizing Explodes Across the Country
Janurary 25th, 2021 by Laura Jedeed & Shane Burley
Truthout
Philly activists occupy and win control of vacant homes
October 13, 2020 by Clare Busch
The Real News Network
Activists Are Mobilizing to Create an Eviction-Free United States
December 20, 2020 by Eleanor Bader
Truthout
Philadelphia’s Encampment Summer
November 17, 2020 by Jared Brey
Next City
Philadelphia Housing Action is Reimagining the Future of Affordable Housing
November 13, 2020 by Jacqui Germain
Mic
Activists Win Control of Vacant Philadelphia Buildings: Now What?
November 2, 2020 by Meir Rinde
Shelterforce
Housing for the People
October 28, 2020 by Steve Wishnia
The Indypendent
Philadelphia Protest Encampment Ends As City Agrees To Plan For Unhoused People
October 19, 2020
Shadowproof
Philadelphia Housing Advocates Declare Victory after Months Long Battle with City
September 29, 2020 by Joshua Vaughn
The Appeal
Philadelphia Activists on Verge of Historic Win for Public Housing
September 29, 2020 by Akela Lacy
The Intercept
A Movement for Housing Justice Is Camped Out on Philly Streets
September 16th, 2020 by Chris Gelardi
The Nation
A Radical Movement to Take Back Our Cities
August 11th, 2020 by Apoorva Tadepalli
The New Republic
Philadelphia Housing Authority is Failing at its Mission, Advocates Say
August 6, 2020 by Joshua Vaughn
The Appeal
Philadelphia Housing Organizers Are Tackling Homelessness Themselves
July 27th, 2020 by Liliana Frankel
Teen Vogue
Single Mothers and Their Children Are Taking Over Abandoned Public Buildings
July 24th, 2020 by Mindy Isser
In These Times
Philadelphia Delays Unhoused Encampment Eviction as CDC Says “Let Them Remain” & Stop COVID Spread
July 17th, 2020
Democracy Now
Homeless People Are Moving Into Vacant Homes in Philly and Fixing Them Up
July 10th, 2020 by Emma Ockerman
VICE News
Homeless Philadelphians Moving Into Vacant City-Owned Homes
June 22nd, 2020 by Unicorn Riot
Interim Guidance on Unsheltered Homelessness and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Homeless Service Providers and Local Officials
Updated: May 13, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Local Coverage
Inside Philly’s 40-year war on homeless encampments
February 23rd, 2021 by Max Maring
BillyPenn
As Biden offers more emergency funds, activists say Philly should reopen COVID hotels for the homeless
February 13th, 2021 by Aubrey Whelan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
As Philly’s COVID-19 hotels empty, some residents say they’re dismayed by conditions in their new accommodations
January 1st, 2021 by Aubrey Whelan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly disputes claims by COVID prevention hotel transplants that new housing lacks heat, hot water
December 31st, 2020 by Courtenay Harris Bond
BillyPenn
Why Philly shut down its homeless COVID hotels, and why advocates are furious
December 17th, 2020 by Courtenay Harris Bond
BillyPenn
Philly’s COVID-19 hotels for homeless people are shutting down over loss of federal funding
December 14th, 2020 by Aubrey Whelan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
9 rehabbed homes and a test of radical housing activism are coming to this block
October 26th, 2020 by Darryl C Murphy
WHYY
‘I was by myself’: Parkway encampment down to last few residents
October 26th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
The Parkway homeless encampment is fenced and (nearly) clear
October 26, 2020 by Al Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Parkway homeless encampment is shrinking — but not gone — as tents are carted away and occupants vacate
October 24, 2020 by Al Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
A historic deal on affordable housing in Philly
October 20th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Regional Roundup 10/19/20
October 19th, 2020 by Radio Times
WHYY
Seeing police and machinery, inhabitants of Parkway homeless encampment thought they were being invaded
October 16, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano, Ellie Rushing and Oona Goodin-Smith
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Parkway encampment agreement opens door to fix Philly homelessness with vacant properties
October 15, 2020 by Inquirer Editorial Board
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Parkway encampment set to break down tents by the end of the week
October 14th, 2020 by Susan Phillips and Darryl C Murphy
WHYY
Homeless encampment the day after agreement
October 14, 2020 by Charles Fox
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly’s housing deal with occupants of Parkway homeless encampment seen as ‘unprecedented’ nationwide
October 14, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano and Oona Goodin-Smith
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Housing protest leaders, city agree to terms for disbanding Parkway encampment
October 13th, 2020
WHYY
Benjamin Franklin Parkway homeless encampment to be closed ‘amicably’ by the end of the week
October 13, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
PHA, housing protesters reach deal to disband North Philadelphia encampment
October 6th, 2020 by Michael D’Onfrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
One of the last occupants to leave the now-closed PHA homeless encampment looks forward to a house
October 6th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano and Laura McCrystal
The Philadelphia Inquirer
North Philly homeless encampment outside PHA office closes after city and activists make a deal
October 6th, 2020 by Kristen Balderas
The Philadelphia Inquirer
City, activists come to agreement to clear Ridge Avenue homeless encampment
October 5th, 2020 by Darryl C Murphy
WHYY
City and activists reach an agreement to close the homeless encampment outside PHA headquarters in North Philly
October 5th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
PHA says announcement of homeless encampment deal is ‘entirely premature’
September 28th by Ximena Conde
WHYY
Philly encampment organizers say they’ve reached a tentative deal with the city
September 27th by Ximena Conde
WHYY
After stabbing at Parkway homeless encampment, outrage and a call for calm
September 23rd, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano and Julie Shaw
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Parkway encampment is unsustainable and untenable
September 21st, 2020 by Dennis J Boylan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Krasner, Brooks, Gauthier, Gym, & Thomas Denounce Trump DOJ Threats Against Black Lives Matter Protesters
September, 17th by Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
Medium.com
I live by the Parkway homeless encampment and see it offering public services, not nuisance
September 16th, 2020 by Nia Holston
The Philadelphia Inquirer
I Fear the Parkway Encampment Crisis Could End Up Like the MOVE Bombing
September 15th, 2020 by Ernest Owens
Philadelphia Magazine
How Philly’s summer of protests revitalized the affordable housing movement
September 15th, 2020 by Anna Orso and Oona Goodin-Smith
The Philadelphia Inquirer
City Council needs new approaches, and the ability to multitask, to address Philly’s challenges
September 11th, 2020 by the Editorial Board
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Low incomes make Philadelphia homes less affordable, Pew study finds
September 10th, 2020 by Michaelle Bond
The Philadelphia Inquirer
My visit to the homeless encampment by the Art Museum both surprised and enlightened me
September 10th, 2020 by Jenice Armstrong
The Philadelphia Inquirer
After deadline passes for homeless encampments to clear out, city won’t say what’s next on Parkway and at PHA
September 9th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano, Laura McCrystal, Mensah M. Dean, Samantha Melamed, Anna Orso and Aubrey Whelan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
‘I’m not gonna just walk away’: Homeless encampment residents vow to stay as city deadline to vacate passes
September 9th, 2020 by Catalina Jaramillo and Ximena Conde
WHYY
Homeless mothers squat federal housing sites as encampment deadline looms
September 8th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Protesters gather near Mayor Kenney’s home to oppose move to close homeless camps
September 6th, 2020 by Jeff Gammage
The Philadelphia Inquirer
What will happen to the homeless now forced to leave the Parkway encampment?
September 5th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia keeps clearing homeless encampments. But who is being helped?
September 4th, 2020 by Samantha Melamed
The Philadelpha Inquirer
Instead of clearing homeless encampments, city leaders should create plans for permanent housing
September 1st, 2020 by Wiley Cunningham and Jennifer Bennetch
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Homeless encampment on Parkway must clear out by Sept. 9, city announces
August 31st, 2020 by Ellie Rushing, Alfred Lubrano and Samantha Melamed
The Philaldephia Inquirer
Encampments ordered to close, again
August 31st, 2020 by Jack Tomczuk
Philadelphia Metro
Philly issues new eviction notice to Parkway homeless-protest encampment
August 31st, 2020 by Susan Phillips
The Philadelphia Tribune / WHYY
Mayor Kenney Is Backed Into One Hell of a Corner Over the Parkway Encampment
August 26th, 2020 by Victor Fiorillo
Philadelphia Magazine
Federal judge: City is ‘permitted, but not required’ to dissolve protest encampments
August 25th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Even with judge’s sign-off, criminalizing encampments isn’t the solution to Philly’s housing problem
August 25th, 2020 by Nikil Saval and Stephanie Sena
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Federal judge allows city to clear out homeless encampments on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in N. Philly
August 25th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano, Jeremy Roebuck and Oona Goodin-Smith
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judge allows city to remove homeless • Photos
August 25th, 2020 by Tom Gralish and Charles Fox
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Federal judge clears city to remove homeless encampments on Ben Franklin Parkway, Ridge Ave.
August 25th, 2020 by Ryan Briggs and Susan Phillips
WHYY
Judge to rule Tuesday on whether city can clear out Parkway homeless encampment
August 24th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly encampments will remain at least through Tuesday, federal judge says
August 20th, 2020 by Samantha Melamed and Oona Goodin-Smith
The Philadelphia Inquirer
City and encampment protesters to meet in federal court today
August 20th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Encampment protesters safe from eviction — at least until next week
August 20th, 2020 by Machael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Summer Camps
August 20th, 2020 by Jason N. Peters
Philly Weekly
Federal judge might determine fate of encampments Thursday
August 19th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
The protest encampments — and the housing crisis they represent — aren’t going away
August 19th, 2020 by Brandon Dorfman
Generocity
Philadelphia homeless encampment eviction on hold through at least Thursday while judge considers lawsuit
August 18th, 2020 by Anna Orso, Aubrey Wheelan, Oona Goodin-Smith and Mensah M. Dean
The Philadelphia Inquirer
As It Happened: On day of planned encampment clearing, city officials meet with organizers and a lawsuit puts the evictions on hold
August 18th, 2020 by various
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Kenney’s deadline to disband camps passes as protesters remain
August 18th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Encampments stay put, for now
August 18th, 2020 by Jack Tomczuk
Philadelphia Metro
Encampment residents file for restraining order against Mayor Kenney over eviction
August 18th, 2020 by Max Marin
BillyPenn
Encampment residents file restraining order as mayor, councilmembers negotiate fate of protest settlements
August 17th, 2020 by Darryl C Murphy
WHYY / PlanPhilly
Philly posts notices that homeless encampments on the Parkway and Ridge Avenue must close Tuesday
August 17th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano and Aubrey Wheelan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Kenney sets deadline to evict two protest encampments
August 17th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Parkway homeless camp ordered to clear out
August 17th, 2020 by Jack Tomczuk
Philadelphia Metro
Negotiations at an ‘impasse’ between city and encampment leaders
August 14th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Sharswood residents and #OccupyPHA clash over protest encampment
August 10th, 2020 by Darryl C Murphy
WHYY
Sharswood residents, business owners say North Philly encampment has ‘hijacked’ the community
August 10th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Neighbors recognize plight of Parkway homeless, but are fed up with trash, needles, nudity, and human waste
August 6th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Why moving people into vacant PHA homes isn’t a solution to Philly’s housing crisis
August 5th, 2020 by Kelvin A. Jeremiah
Once-homeless Philly families are squatting in PHA houses. The agency wants them out.
August 5th, 2020 by Samantha Melamed
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Homeless encampments shored up tents to ride out Tropical Storm Isaias
August 4th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Radicalizing A Tent Community: Interview with Dee Black of the Encampment Protest
July 31st, 2020 by Maddie Rose
The Philadelphia Partisan
Organizers and activists clash at the crossroads of Philly’s housing crisis
July 29, 2020 by Brandon Dorfman
Generocity
Homeless population resist efforts to vacate campsite, Pt. II
July 29th, 2020 by Nathaniel Lee
University City Review
Organizers and city officials still talking as Day 50 of the Parkway homeless encampment dawned
July 29, 2020 by Al Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
It’s a New Day • Audio (interview at 28:40)
July 28, 2020 by Johanna Fernandez
WBAI
Regional Roundup – 07/27/20 • Audio
July 27th, 2020
WHYY
Philly pudiera fundar una ciudad Tiny-House y resolver el problema de Parkway
July 24, 2020
El Sol Latino
Mayor Kenney, stop putting optics before solutions — your city needs housing now
July 21st, 2020 by Maureen Bellwoar
WHYY
‘I Will Breathe’ street mural appears near Parkway protest camp
July 18th 2020 by Danya Henninger
Billy Penn
Philadelphia Housing Authority is failing unhoused city residents
July 17th, 2020 by Morgan Baskin for
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Local TV coverage 7/16/20
6ABC: Philadelphia officials delay plan to close protest camp along Ben Franklin Parkway
Fox29: Philadelphia postpones plans to close protest encampment
CBS3: Philadelphia City Officials Postpone Plans To Close Homeless Encampment On Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philly postpones clearing out of Parkway homeless encampment
July 16th, 2020 by Al Lubrano, Mensah M Dean and Ellie Rushing
Respite from eviction for homeless encampment residents
July 16th, 2020 by Tom Gralish
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Kenney backtracks on evicting parkway encampment
July 16th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
City backs down from evicting homeless camp; Kenney to meet directly with protesters
July 16th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Parkway homeless encampment won’t be cleared Friday
July 16th, 2020 Jack Tomczuk
Philadelphia Metro
Organizer refuses to dismantle smaller housing-protest camp targeting PHA
July 15th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Protesters pledge to defy PHA order to vacate, picket outside CEO’s home
July 15th, 2020 by Michael D’Onofrio
The Philadelphia Tribune
Encampment outside Philadelphia Housing Authority headquarters also given notice to vacate by Friday
July 15th, 2020 by Ellie Rushing
The Inquirer
Homeless encampment on Parkway ties Black Lives Matter to housing | Editorial
July 15th, 2020 by The Editorial Board
The Inquirer
Showdown looms over the Parkway homeless encampment
July 14th, 2020 by The WHY • Audio
WHYY
Protest encampment residents say they’re not leaving Parkway, despite city deadline
July 13th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Members Of Homeless Encampment On Parkway Vow To Stay Put Despite City’s Mandatory Closure
July 13th, 2020 CBS3
Organizers of Parkway homeless encampment say residents won’t leave site when city comes to clear it out on Friday
July 13th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Local TV Coverage July 10, 2020 – City Declares July 17th Eviction Date
City of Philadelphia orders closure of encampment along Ben Franklin Parkway on 6ABC
Organizer of Philly Homeless Encampment Says They’re ‘Not Going Anywhere’ on 10NBC
Philadelphia posts formal notice to close protest encampment by July 17 on on FOX29
Parkway homeless camp residents: ‘We are not going anywhere’
July 13th, 2020 by Jack Tomczuk
Philadelphia Metro
City will clear out homeless encampment on Benjamin Franklin Parkway next Friday
July 10th, 2020 by Alfred Lubrano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
City posts formal notice for closure of protest camp
July 10th, 2020 by Nathaniel Lee
University City Review
Parkway homeless encampment grows, while talks with city, PHA go slowly
July 8th, 2020 by Susan Phillips
WHYY
Radio Times Regional Roundup 07/06/20
July 6th, 2020 • audio
WHYY
Philly says it’s close to a deal to end the homeless encampment on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
July 7th, 2020
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Brian Abernathy is one of the most powerful people in Philly. Coronavirus and protests put him in the spotlight.
by Sean Collins Walsh, July 5, 2020
The Philadelphia Inquirer
City of Philadelphia in negotiations with leaders of encampment on Ben Franklin Parkway
July 1st, 2020 • video
Fox 29 Philadelphia
Philly Leaders Reveal Plan to Dismantle Homeless Encampment
July 1st, 2020 • video
NBC 10 Philadelphia
Philadelphia Housing Authority tries to fence off, shut down protest encampment outside headquarters
Updated: June 30th, 2020 by Samantha Melamed
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly officials address encampment protest on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
June 16th, 2020 by Michael Tanenbaum
Philly Voice
Tent encampment lines Ben Franklin Parkway in protest of lack of long-term housing for homeless
June 15th By Shawnette Wilson and Lauren Johnson • video
FOX29
Philadelphians experiencing homelessness build protest encampment on Ben Franklin Parkway: ‘We all matter’
Updated: June 12, 2020 by Ellie Rushing
The Philadelphia Inquirer
What did police do in April during a crime low? It wasn’t solving homicide cases.
Updated: June 12, 2020 by The Inquirer Editorial Board
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly Clears Out Homeless Encampment at the Airport
May 27, 2020 by Lauren Schneideran
Prison-wide testing helps contain outbreak
May 13, 2020 by Kathleen E. Carey
Deleware County Daily Times
Hundreds are being released from jail during the coronavirus pandemic. But where are they going?
Updated: May 11, 2020 by Samantha Melamed
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Housing activists stop Rittenhouse encampment cleanup, likening it to ‘eviction’
May 5th, 2020 by Ryan Briggs
WHYY / Plan Philly
The city and state need to do more to help Philly’s homeless population. What about empty dorms?
April 17th, 2020 by Sterling Johnson and Wiley Cunningham
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia man is Pennsylvania’s first state prison inmate to die from coronavirus
April 13th, 2020 by Jeremy Roebuck and Erin McCarthy
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Defuse the ticking time bomb of coronavirus in jails and prisons
Updated: April 2, 2020 by The Inquirer Editorial Board
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia jails report 8 new coronavirus cases in one day, taking total to 20 inmate infections
April 2, 2020 by Cherri Gregg
KYW 1060 News Radio
COVID-19 in Philly’s Jails
April 5, 2020
Defender Association of Philadelphia
‘It’s terrifying’: Corrections officers say jails aren’t doing enough to protect them as coronavirus spreads
Updated: April 8, 2020 by Jeremy Roebuck and Vinny Vella
The Philadelphia Inquirer
As the coronavirus gains strength in Philly’s jails, panic and fingerpointing mark efforts to avert crisis by thinning inmate population
Updated: April 3, 2020 by Jeremy Roebuck
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Prisoner serving time for drug charge is first U.S. inmate to die from COVID-19
March 28, 2020 by Sarah N. Lynch
Reuters
New Report: Impact of COVID-19 on Homelessness
March 25th, 2020 by Jessica Bautista / Adam Smeltz
SP2 News – University of Pennsylvania
Holiday Inn Express in Center City to become quarantine for homeless people with coronavirus
by Sean Collins Walsh, Chris Brennan and Mike Newall Updated: March 23, 2020
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia clears homeless encampment despite CDC guidance not to during coronavirus spread
Updated: March 23, 2020 by Anna Orso
The Philadelphia Inquirer
‘It’s heartbreaking’: Coronavirus puts Philly homeless services in survival mode
Updated: March 19, 2020 by Samantha Melamed
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Broke in Philly series
Homeless encampment at 18th & Vine Streets cleared
Updated: January 6, 2020 by Alfred Lubano
The Philadelphia Inquirer
A Brief Introduction to Public Housing and the Philadelphia Housing Authority
January 14th 2019 by Wiley Cunningham
medium.com
More than a dozen forced out of homes in North Philadelphia
August 31st 2018 by Jeff Cole • video
FOX29