Philadelphia City Council has unanimously approved Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr.’s 55th bill to become law. Councilman Goode has had legislation approved at each of the last four City Council meetings.

The most recent legislation will add Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to the City’s Vacant Property Review Committee. National LISC was established in 1980 and today is the largest community development intermediary in the United States. In Philadelphia, the result has been 6,538 new housing units for lower income families and 1.37 million square feet of new commercial space and community facilities. Additionally, Philadelphia LISC's investments have leveraged $670 million in total development costs.

Last week, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr.’s 2009 Depository Compliance Ordinance. It was the third economic opportunity enforcement bill offered by Goode to be approved this fall. The new ordinance enforces Goode’s Fair Lending and Community Reinvestment Ordinance, which requires City depositories to annually submit goals for lending in low and moderate-income communities, as well as a long-term strategic plan to address any lending disparities disclosed in an annual study.

Two weeks ago, City Council unanimously approved Goode’s Living Wage & Benefits Enforcement Legislation, empowering City Council to bring debarment charges against city contractors for failure to comply with the City’s minimum wage and healthcare benefits standard.

Four weeks ago, Council unanimously approved Goode’s Economic Opportunity Enforcement Legislation, empowering City Council to bring similar charges against city contractors for failure to make best and good faith efforts to implement economic opportunity plans.