Pittsburgh City Council approved the city’s first capital budget post-Act 47 status Tuesday, but not without hearing considerable criticism beforehand.

At the culmination of a month long effort,  two dozen affordable housing advocates testified before council that only restoring a portion of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s financial support from the city wasn’t enough to combat displacement within the city.

With signs that alleged empty promises, affordable housing advocates advanced on Pittsburgh City Council chambers to plead with council to restore their funding for the 2019 capital budget.

When Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto proposed his budget for the new year, many advocates were disturbed to learn that their financial support from the city would decrease by $5 million, leaving the authority with $1.1 million from the capital budget.

Philadelphia’s City Council recently passed four major bills in addition to the anticipated Fair Work Week legislation. These measures give more rights to tenants, attempt to resolve trespassing ordinances on occupancy disputes, and raised the minimum wage for city workers and contractors.

Most of these bills were introduced in June or during the fall session. With council meeting once more in the 2018 calendar, passage becomes increasingly important as next year brings elections.

Philadelphia City Council passed ten bills and resolutions in their weekly public meeting on Thursday, focusing on zoning and housing measures. If signed by Mayor Jim Kenney, they will change some tax rules and create more funding for affordable units and programs to assist existing homeowners.

City Council’s Committee on Appropriations passed a three-bill package Wednesday, providing framework for more funds to support existing homeowners and develop more affordable housing in the city.