Phil Goldsmith has held senior positions in a broad spectrum of fields including law, journalism, business and government. Most recently he was managing director of the City of Philadelphia.
He is now a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, writing every other Wednesday and is a principal in GoldsmithKahn Associates, a public issues management consulting firm.
The top picture is a schematic of the Habitat homes on Monument Street between 19th and 20th Streets in North Philadelphia. The bottom picture represents the reality, the progress that is being made.
Given the enormous need for quality and affordable housing, this is a drop in the bucket. But, at least, it is a drop in a bucket; for years the bucket has been dry and corroding. As the tour continues, you will see more drops that are filling the bucket.
People, who qualify for the homes, must pay for them but instead of a monetary down payment they must put in 350 hours of sweat equity. The mortgage is interest free.
While Habitat has paid employees on its staff to help with construction, it depends on lots of volunteers. To learn more about volunteering go to Habitat for Humanity. It is hard work but fulfilling, particularly if you sit on your butt in an office all day.
To read more about my tour of North Philadelphia read my column in the Daily News. There will be more to see in the days ahead. Return to Philadelphia Perspective.
