The next mayor of Philadelphia, Al Taubenberger or Michael Nutter, has committed himself to reducing homelessness by improving coordination of the city's services.

Republican Taubenberger, president of the Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, says, “The role of mayor is to improve the lives of all citizens of Philadelphia." He cites an old principle as his philosophy, 'If you save one person’s life, you’re saving all humanity.'" And that principle relates to the "complex problem" of homelessness.

Democrat Nutter, former City Councilman, says, “We have to fairly, humanely, and aggressively reduce to the lowest possible number the people who are homeless.” He notes that “It says something about who we are as a civil society, when people sleep in the doorways of City Hall, along our streets, and in our parks. These are unacceptable circumstances.”

Taubenberger and his campaign’s policy board held an information session on September 20 to hear the concerns of the Vote for Homes Coalition. Taubenberger recalls that a homeless man recently approached him and thanked him for his position on job creation.. “I admire a person who cares and puts in so much effort to improve himself,” Taubenberger said in reference to how great the man looked in a borrowed suit for an interview.

Taubenberger supports outreach centers providing “one stop shopping” to streamline the currently chaotic array of services available. By the end of a Taubenberger administration term he’d expect more people to have “a paying job they like that can support a home and family.” The business leader says good jobs with good wages will help prevent homelessness.

Nutter has met with experts like Sister Mary Scullion of Project H.O.M.E. and leaders at the People’s Emergency Center, and he continues examining best practices in other cities. Conversations with chronically homeless people have made Nutter concerned about the quality of shelter services. Meeting higher standards of care will be a condition of city contracts during Nutter's term. The large percentage of homeless veterans also concerns Nutter, and says all levels of government have an “obligation to serve them in their time of need.”

In his Better Housing Now Plan the Wharton graduate details his proposals to increase affordable housing and transitional services through full funding of the Housing Trust Fund and creative allocation of a percentage of the current property tax abatement. Nutter says better coordination of public lands, “public feedings,” and intake services are major policy issues. Earlier interventions –with finances, health care, jobs skills– will also help prevent crises resulting in home loss and build greater self-sufficiency, he believes.

Both candidates understand the amount of work and focus required to overcome homelessness in Philadelphia.