When you receive your home assessment in the fall, after our comprehensive reassessment has been completed, you will receive notification of whether you have qualified and the amount of the exemption. Qualification is simply based on whether the home is your primary residence—that is, if you own your home and live in it, too. Rental homes or vacation homes do not qualify. Mixed use properties qualify and will benefit from the exclusion for the portion of the property that is the owners’ primary residence.

After an application has been approved, you do not need to reapply each year unless the deed to the home changes.

Mail completed applications to the Office of Property Assessment at the address listed on the application by JULY 31, 2012.

Applications received after the deadline for consideration for this year will be considered for tax year 2014.

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Letter from the Mayor | Brochure | Application

On Memorial Day, Mayor Nutter announced during ceremonies at memorials to fallen veterans that he would send this legislation to City Council this week.

“I’ve been in regular contact with the veterans who maintain the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, the Korean and Vietnam veterans memorials and others monuments and other veterans groups about how we can better maintain these places that honor heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Their stories about vandalism and damage at these and other sacred memorials raised serious questions,” said Mayor Nutter. “Councilman Oh and I want to send a very strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. We’re doing that by substantially increasing the penalties for vandalizing or damaging these monuments and public works of art and by prohibiting people from using their skateboards, rollerblades and bikes in a way that damages these memorials.”

The bill prohibits skateboarding, rollerblading and bicycling on monuments and public art and would make this new offense punishable with a maximum fine of $2,000, up to 90 days in jail for adults and confiscation of the skateboard, rollerblades or bike. The ordinance also eliminates the lower penalty level for ethnic intimidation and institutional vandalism, making all violations subject to a maximum $2,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

“Philadelphia is a city with deep historical and cultural roots, and protecting our public spaces, historical landmarks, memorials and outdoor public artwork is essential to maintaining that aspect of our city’s image” said Councilman At-Large David Oh. “I was happy to introduce an ordinance today on behalf of Mayor Nutter so that we can better combat vandalism and public nuisances around these precious assets that are meant to be enjoyed by those who call Philadelphia their home as well as visitors to our great city.”

WHAT: Mayor Nutter will outline the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption and its impact on Philadelphians.

WHERE: City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room, Room 202

WHEN: Friday, June 1, 2012 10:00 am

“The Clean Water Act was a defining piece of American legislation that created a greener, more sustainable nation. Reflecting on the 40th Anniversary of this legislation, we are reminded how vital it is to protect our water sources now and for future generations.

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the leadership of Administrator Lisa Jackson, has worked in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on a state-of-the-art stormwater management system that will save billions of taxpayer dollars. The EPA signed an historic agreement allowing Philadelphia to implement Green City, Clean Waters, our city’s 25 year, $2 billion plan to invest in stormwater infrastructure. This plan creates affordable, green solutions that will uphold important quality standards set forth under the Clean Water Act.

“The EPA and Administrator Jackson have been stalwart partners with cities across the nation as we work to build a more competitive and more sustainable America. In the 40 years since the passage of the Clean Water Act, they continue to collaborate with cities and municipalities to create the green infrastructure that will be a foundation for our nation’s growth for decades to come.”

WHAT: Mayor Nutter and Senator Williams will discuss the importance of the Actual Value Initiative.

WHERE: Schuylkill River Trail, Underneath the Walnut Street Bridge

WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:30 pm TODAY

“We are happy to award prizes to the Sweepstakes winners for doing their part in improving our community through reducing waste and recycling more,” said Mayor Nutter. “By taking part in the Recycling Rewards Program powered by Recyclebank, Philadelphia residents are demonstrating their commitment to a more sustainable future.”

Residents can still get involved in the Sweepstakes, which will run until Saturday, June 30, 2012. Residents are automatically entered into the Sweepstakes by recycling more and completing simple “green” actions at www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com. Each action represents an individual entry into the Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will receive free groceries for a year, a prize valued at $5,000.

“The Recycling Rewards Program is important to our city on many levels. I am pleased to see so many residents eager to recycle and earn points for doing so. Redeeming the points for coupons to a wide variety of stores in Philadelphia allows our citizens to spend locally. Our partnership with Recyclebank has helped our citizens become more ‘green’ in their efforts to make our city more sustainable,” said Commissioner Tolson.

The first prize winners are Joanna Cahill of Roxborough and Vereta Jordan of North Philadelphia. The second place winners are Charisse Snipe of Southwest Philadelphia, Lula McClaim of North Philadelphia, Lenore Branham of North Philadelphia, Beth Grandizio of South Philadelphia and Madeline Dombrowski of South Philadelphia.

“At Recyclebank, we are proud to partner with the City of Philadelphia and the Streets Department for the Recycling Rewards Sweepstakes to inspire the community to work toward a greener, healthier future,” said Denise Diorio McVeigh, Recyclebank Philadelphia account manager. “Over the past three years, Philadelphia’s partnership with Recyclebank has exemplified the collective impact that can be made when community members choose more sustainable lifestyles.”

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, a partnership between the Streets Department and Recyclebank, allows residents with City-provided recycling collection to earn points that are redeemed through Recyclebank for groceries, gift cards, merchandise and entertainment at hundreds of participating local and national merchants. Philadelphia is proud to be the largest City in the United States to reward its residents for their recycling efforts. Philadelphia Recycling Rewards has helped to bring the City’s recycling diversion rate— the amount of recyclable materials that are diverted away from landfills—to record levels.

For more information about Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program and to participate in the Sweepstakes, please visit www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com or call the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Customer Affairs Unit at 1-888-769-7960.

ABOUT RECYCLEBANK
Recyclebank® helps create a more sustainable future by rewarding people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from more than 3,000 local and national businesses. Through its online platform and partnerships with municipalities, haulers, small businesses and corporate brands, Recyclebank is empowering individuals to make a collective impact on the environment by increasing household recycling, reducing household energy usage and learning to live greener lives. Recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme and for Outstanding Excellence in Public/Private Partnerships from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Recyclebank is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit www.Recyclebank.com.

WHAT: Mayor Nutter, Commissioner Tolson and Recyclebank will announce the first round of winners in the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Sweepstakes powered by Recyclebank. The Sweepstakes allows Philadelphia residents to win prizes by recycling more and completing everyday green actions. Mayor Nutter will present prizes to two First Prize winners, who will each receive 12 monthly SEPTA transit passes and five Second Prize winners, who will each receive one $100 Target gift card.

WHERE: Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut Streets

WHEN: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 2:00 pm TODAY

Philadelphia, May 24, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson, InSinkErator officials and community leaders launched a new pilot program called “Clean Kitchen, Green Community” to assess how food waste disposers can help the City reach its sustainability goals. In addition to citywide campaign about the benefits of using a food waste disposer, residents along garbage collection routes in West Oak Lane and Point Breeze will participate in a targeted installation and education initiative to examine how much food waste can be diverted from landfills by using a disposer. The City is partnering with InSinkErator, the world’s leading manufacturer of food waste disposers, and community groups Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation (OARC) in West Oak Lane and Diversified Community Services in Point Breeze on the publicity and installation campaigns.

“Philadelphia is committed to becoming the greenest city in America, and this partnership with InSinkErator is an example of how the private and public sectors can work together to improve the City’s sustainability efforts and residents’ quality of life,” said Mayor Nutter. “We hope this pilot program will point us toward saving tax dollars and a better environment.”

The targeted installation campaign will correspond with testing households’ waste reduction. The Streets Department will assess the volume and composition of waste generated before, during and after the pilot, evaluating reductions and changes that result from the targeted installation campaign. The City and InSinkErator are partnering with OARC and Diversified Community Services to provide 100 homeowners in each neighborhood with a free waste disposer and installation by a local, licensed plumber. OARC and Diversified Community Services will lead the effort to encourage and arrange the installation of disposers in homes without them and educate residents about how to use them effectively.

“At the City of Philadelphia Streets Department, we continue to look for innovative and creative ways to help make our city greener, cleaner and more sustainable,” said Streets Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson. “The Clean Kitchen, Green Community pilot program will help us analyze how food waste disposers can divert more waste from landfill, save the City and taxpayers money. We also expect that food waste disposers will be an effective complement to residents’ recycling efforts as a disposer can make it easier for residents to recycle paper, bottles and cans.”

Food waste constitutes roughly 10 percent of waste from homes in Philadelphia, which goes directly into landfills. Every ton diverted from landfill saves the City $68 in tipping fees. By diverting food waste, the City expects that food waste disposers can save money while not adding to homeowners’ utility costs. Food waste disposers use less than one percent of a household’s total water consumption and cost less than 50 cents per year in electricity to operate. They also reduce kitchen odors from spoiled food and can help reduce the amount rodents and insects around homes.

Food waste can also be turned into renewable energy and fertilizer products after being processed by Philadelphia’s wastewater treatment plants. Once disposed, food waste is transported through underground sewer lines to the City’s advanced wastewater treatment plants. Methane generated from the anaerobic digestion of food waste at the plants can be converted into heat and electricity to power the plants; the solids that remain are processed into fertilizer pellets suitable for use on regional farms. Putting food waste down the disposer also prevents the local trucking of heavy, soggy trash, and keeps it from ending up in landfills, where organic waste decomposes and produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

“Food waste disposers take food waste out of trash trucks and put it into a wastewater system designed to convert the waste to beneficial biogas energy and fertilizer. This approach is sustainable and allows us to reduce household waste, create energy, and recycles the waste into biosolids pellets for beneficial farming uses,” said Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug.

“InSinkErator is very excited to partner with the City of Philadelphia to help achieve Mayor Nutter’s Greenworks goals. Food waste disposers move food scraps out of trash trucks and landfills to the Water Department, where it’s converted into clean water, renewable energy and fertilizer products,” said Tim Ferry, President of InSinkErator. “We know disposers help make the kitchens and neighborhoods of Philadelphia cleaner and now they can help the City become ‘greener.’”

For more information about the Clean Kitchen, Green Community pilot program, please visit www.philadelphiastreets.com. For more information about InSinkErator, please visit www.insinkerator.com/green. For more information about OARC, please visit www.ogontzave.org. For more information about Diversified Community Services, please visit http://dcsphila.org.

WHAT: Mayor Nutter, Commissioner Tolson, community members and others will announce the launch of “Clean Kitchen, Green Community,” a program that will assess how food waste disposers can help Philadelphia’s sustainability efforts.
The City will partner with InSinkErator to execute a targeted food waste disposer installation and education campaign along pilot trash collection routes in Point Breeze and West Oak Lane. The neighborhood initiative will be complemented by a citywide advertising campaign promoting the environmental benefits of disposers.

WHERE: Special T’s Events, 2100 72nd Avenue

WHEN: Thursday, May 24, 2012 2:00 pm TODAY

The use of professional attire not only makes inspectors more easily identifiable to residents but also reflects the Department’s commitment to setting the highest standards for accountability, professionalism, customer service, and results. The attire is comprised of blue collared shirts prominently featuring the Department’s name and logo. Residents will be able to identify L&I Inspectors just as they would members of the City’s other public safety agencies.

The shift to professional attire is one of the many recent initiatives undertaken to strengthen L&I’s professional culture and its ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently. Individual L&I inspectors are now able to handle vast range of enforcement issues, including housing and fire regulations to business compliance.

“The Department of Licenses and Inspections has accomplished so much in the last few years in its successful effort to achieve the highest level of quality services for the residents of Philadelphia. Adoption of professional attire is yet another achievement in that direction,” stated Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I have the utmost confidence L&I is well on its way to becoming the nation’s leading code enforcement agency.”

L&I Commissioner Fran Burns added, “Our inspectors are proud of the work that they do. Conducting this work in professional attire affirms the pride we have in our work and reminds the public that we are here to serve.”

The Department of Licenses and Inspections is the chief regulatory agency for ensuring the safety of Philadelphia’s built environment. L&I’s code enforcement officers work throughout the City, conducting inspections in diverse places ranging from high-rise construction sites to single-family homes, to protect the residents of Philadelphia. ###