| Accomplishments |
As a result of Rep. Thomas’ experience and leadership, major milestones have been achieved in the following areas:
- Crime & Safety:
- Transforming a vacant building in the 800 block of 12th Street from a drug-, gun- and crime-infested building into a 21st century play area for children.
- Successfully amending 97 bills in the House until illegal possession of a gun was reclassified from a 3rd degree misdemeanor to a felony.
- Successfully sponsored and supported a $5 million appropriation for the illegal gun task force in Philadelphia.
- Successfully supported the passage of a law to track the use of illegal guns.
- Successfully organized community rallies which led to the apprehension of violent crime offenders in Yorktown, Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia and Hunting Park communities.
- Successfully organized and negotiated the 181 Safety Patrol Program which provides a climate of safety at 10 schools.
- Successfully raised over $5,000 from the private sector for families victimized by violence.
- Successfully secured two years of funding for the North Philadelphia Crime Victims Program.
- Housing
- Successful in sponsoring over 10 budget amendments which increased the Housing & Redevelopment Assistance line item from $15 million to $35 million.
- Successful in providing the city of Philadelphia with enabling legislation to establish for the first time a Housing Trust Fund. In 2007, the city raised over $15 million for new housing development, housing improvements and rental assistance.
- Successful in moving the state from zero investments in housing development in 1988 to over $35 million in new housing (Dauphin Arms, William B. Moore Apartments, Guild House II 1/09 Green Street) to date.
- Successful in supporting the only $6 million federal Nehemiah grant to North Philadelphia.
- Successful in encouraging PHFA to award over $20 million in tax credits to district community development corporations.
- Successful in securing a $125,000 grant for security improvement of Gray Manor and Guild House East Apartments.
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