Rep. W. Curtis Thomas
181st Legislative District
Philadelphia County
Accomplishments

As a result of Rep. Thomas’ experience and leadership, major milestones have been achieved in the following areas:

  1. Crime & Safety:
    1. 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.
    2. Successfully amending 97 bills in the House until illegal possession of a gun was reclassified from a 3rd degree misdemeanor to a felony.
    3. Successfully sponsored and supported a $5 million appropriation for the illegal gun task force in Philadelphia.
    4. Successfully supported the passage of a law to track the use of illegal guns.
    5. Successfully organized community rallies which led to the apprehension of violent crime offenders in Yorktown, Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia and Hunting Park communities.
    6. Successfully organized and negotiated the 181 Safety Patrol Program which provides a climate of safety at 10 schools.
    7. Successfully raised over $5,000 from the private sector for families victimized by violence.
    8. Successfully secured two years of funding for the North Philadelphia Crime Victims Program.
  2. Housing
    1. Successful in sponsoring over 10 budget amendments which increased the Housing & Redevelopment Assistance line item from $15 million to $35 million.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Successful in supporting the only $6 million federal Nehemiah grant to North Philadelphia.
    5. Successful in encouraging PHFA to award over $20 million in tax credits to district community development corporations.
    6. Successful in securing a $125,000 grant for security improvement of Gray Manor and Guild House East Apartments.