🏘️ Who benefits from Mayor Parker’s housing plan?

🚆 Over Half of SEPTA Regional Rail Cars Deemed Unsafe

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board recommends SEPTA suspend 225 of its Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars, after multiple train fires this year. The fleet has been in service since the 1970s, which the NTSB says predates federal fire safety standards set in 1999. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🏠 Spending for Mayor Parker’s Housing Plan Draws Criticism

A budget resolution outlining how Parker intends to use funds for her H.O.M.E. initiative awaits approval from City Council, but it isn’t without its critics. Framed as a way to both help Philadelphians stay in the middle class and support those of lower economic status, some worry that increased eligibility requirements for housing programs could divert resources from those most in need. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

👮 How Would You Keep Philly Safe?

Parker isn’t just focused on housing; she wants to make the city safer. Building upon Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel’s 100 Day Report, the city is developing a five-year safety plan with public input from townhalls and surveys. [CBS Philly]

• Related: Here are the takeaways from the 100 Day Report, released after the mayor declared a public safety emergency in the city. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

📸 Slow Down or Pay Up

After speed cameras were recently installed down the stretch of Broad Street, an expansion for automated speed enforcement is waiting for approval. These installations would be on three state routes covering more than 25 miles of roadway. [Metro Philly]

Earlier this week, City Cast Philly spoke with local writer Jordan Teicher about the American Lung Association ranking the Philly metro area as the 26th worst air quality in the nation, up from 65th in last year’s report. We’re quizzing you on what that ranking means for us.