In this episode, our guests, Zoraida Cordero, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, and Lisa Quattlebaum, founder of Homesteadista, explore how housing affordability shapes the future of small businesses in Philadelphia. With rising rents, mortgages, insurance, and inflation, household challenges aren’t just affecting everyday workers; these increases directly impact entrepreneurs abilities to lead, plan, and stay rooted in their communities.
We examine how neighborhood development can either protect or displace legacy businesses, connect federal economic pressures to local realities, and highlight policy solutions that support both renters and storefronts.
Because when residents are pushed out, small businesses feel it too. This is a solution-oriented conversation about stability, shared economic interests, and the power of civic engagement to build a more inclusive future.
Grounded in lived experience and guided by civic awareness, this episode moves from defining the problem to identifying shared struggles and ends with a call to action. Because the future of small businesses in Philadelphia depends on more than commerce, it depends on justice, stability, and community voice.
Housing insecurity in Philadelphia is a serious and ongoing issue affecting thousands of residents. Many households are cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, leaving little for other necessities. Evictions, both formal court filings and illegal lockouts, impact a large number of renters each year, contributing to housing instability and homelessness. More than 5,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, and unsheltered homelessness has increased in recent years. These challenges disproportionately affect residents due to long-standing systemic inequities.
In response, Philadelphia has implemented housing justice initiatives, including eviction diversion programs, rental assistance efforts, and cash support pilots, aimed at keeping families housed. These programs, along with broader affordable housing strategies, seek to reduce displacement, promote stability, and address the root causes of housing inequality. Overall, while housing insecurity remains a major challenge, ongoing policy efforts and community advocacy are pushing toward greater housing justice in the city.
More episodes of our docuseries Community Matters:
Special Thanks:
Community Advocates and Organizers Across Philadelphia
Lenfest Every Voice Every Vote Team
All Participating Community Members
Philadelphia Residents Who Shared Their Stories
