Housing Justice Campaign (2023-Present)

After winning closure of the oil refinery, we faced the devastating reality that many long-term residents who suffered from years of pollution may not be able to enjoy the clean air we fought so hard for. Gentrification pressures on Grays Ferry and other South/Southwest neighborhoods were getting more intense and residents were being priced out and pushed out of their homes. This is not climate justice.

So in 2023, we started building our Housing Justice Campaign. Our work and accomplishments so far have included:

Created our own literature about the leading causes of displacement in Grays Ferry based on all the research we have done – check out our zine here!
Engaged 95 residents in a community survey we designed to listen and learn from Grays Ferry residents about what everyone is experiencing and seeing in the neighborhood
Organized a public meeting about housing and development in Grays Ferry in October 2023 at Audenried High School attended by over 80 residents where we shared the survey results, brought in speakers to deepen the community’s understanding of the potential solutions, and facilitated discussion amongst residents
Campaigned for and won $5 million dollars in the City Budget for home repairs, a huge need identified through our survey and research

We organized a documentary film screening about home repairs in partnership with the HERE 4 Climate Justice coalition and then led a Grays Ferry walking tour showcasing housing and development in the neighborhood
Negotiated to achieve investment UPenn’s expansion into Grays Ferry to fund the home repair of community leader Irene Russell’s home on S. Patton Street and organized a press conference to demand more funding for home repairs
Signed up dozens of Grays Ferry residents to receive new hot water heaters through a partnership with the Energy Coordinating Agency and the installations have began
Supported “Our Philly Neighborhoods” legislative package, which included additional investments in home repair programs, eviction diversion, and more throughout the city
In partnership with Renter’s United, Thrive members testified in support of a bill to ban Rental Price algorithms – the bill passed and was signed into law!