Housing and homelessness in Kensington, Philadelphia. Reporting on affordability, evictions, encampments, gentrification and shelter access in the neighborhood.
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
Arts & Culture
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
A year in photographs from the neighborhood, made close and over time.
Housing & Shelter
Applications are open to eligible older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities.
Housing & Shelter
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District covers Kensington, said the vast majority of her constituents earn less than 60% AMI.
Guides & Resources
A free series includes weekly workshops running through December 13th, covering a range of housing topics–from local organizing to statewide housing policy–focused on creating “affordable and accessible” housing. All workshops are held at the Kensington Engagement Center.
Small Business
Crystal Ortiz, owner of candle-making shop Waxery, opened her business as a way to give back to her community and make a space for residents to have fun not too far from home.
Accountability
Kensington Voice collected and verified data on 87 people who were arrested during the first months of the program and tracked their journeys through the court. Most ended up with Wellness Court bench warrants after the city lost contact with them.
Kids in Kensington
Klean Kensington is one of eight organizations citywide selected for the Department of Planning and Development’s “Philadelphia 2050: Planning Together” initiative.
Neighborhood Voices
. Cutting both direct assistance and evidence-based education is like declaring war on the people of Kensington. Food security means more than just access to food.
Neighborhood Voices
September was National Recovery Month. Luis Soto shares his journey to sobriety and how working with others has helped him heal.
Arts & Culture
The Harrowgate area will see increased funding as part of the City of Philadelphia's celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Housing & Shelter
As of September 1st, people receiving SNAP benefits are required to work, volunteer, or be in an employment training program a minimum of 20 hours a week in order to continue receiving assistance. If they don’t comply and aren’t exempt, their benefits will terminate December 1st.
Accountability
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
Housing & Shelter
The ongoing story of one mother's agonizing journey with Pa.'s mental health care system
Small Business
Longtime Kensington resident Ligia Rodriguez runs San Expedito Botánica — a neighborhood shop offering spiritual healing, warm meals and community care.
Accountability
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s sweeping $2 billion housing plan—the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative aims to preserve and create 30,000 housing units over four years in response to the city’s housing crisis.
Arts & Culture
Real progress starts with branding Kensington’s drug supply for what it is: a source of brutal withdrawal and suffering.
Kids in Kensington
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
Housing & Shelter
The 2025 Norris Square Neighborhood Profile sought to capture information on the area’s population, quality of life, and economic status and spark dialogue among community leaders and residents.
Clean Streets
In Kensington, a neighborhood already grappling with public health challenges related to the decades-old open-air drug market and opioid crisis, residents say the AFSCME District Council 33 strike exposes longstanding problems including illegal dumping, homelessness and a lack of city support.
Health & Wellness
The budget – totaling about $13.4 billion across operating and capital expenses – invests in establishing a “wellness” system to address Kensington’s opioid crisis.
Accountability
Funding is allocated to expand the administration’s Kensington Wellness Court pilot from one to five days a week.
Arts & Culture
The Special Committee on Kensington, made up of council members Quetcy Lozada, Mark Squilla, Mike Driscoll, Nina Ahmad, Curtis Jones
