Credit: City of Philadelphia (phila.gov)
PHILADELPHIA - On June 12th, Philadelphia City Council approved a $6.8 billion budget prioritizing "economic growth, housing, public safety, education, and health services for all residents."
Under the Public Safety Investments umbrella, the 'One Philly 2.0 budget' significantly expands the city's wellness ecosystem with $264 million in operating funds for Riverview Wellness Village, $75 million in capital funds to increase its capacity to 640 residents, and $5.5 million for wellness pilots including expansion of the Kensington Wellness Support Center and Wellness Court programs.
The Wellness Ecosystem Initiative aims to bring "focus, collaboration, and capacity to address substance use disorder and homelessness and their impacts on lives and neighborhoods."
Mayor Cherelle Parker's vision supports existing programs with enhanced medical and health systems while improving coordination across the entire system for greater efficiency.
Riverview Wellness Village
Riverview Wellness Village, which opened in January as a 336-bed facility, increases the city's recovery-house capacity by 66 percent while pioneering an integrated model combining recovery-based housing with comprehensive health services for those with substance use disorders.
The facility offers residents onsite classes, workforce development opportunities, and wraparound services provided by Guadenzia, Merakey, and the Black Doctor's Consortium, preparing individuals for independent living after a one-year program.
Since opening, the village has welcomed 100 residents and recently released an RFP for food and nutrition services while implementing ideas from monthly Community Advisory group meetings.
Meanwhile, Philly Home at Girard continues expanding its bed capacity to provide shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness, many with substance use disorders.
Kensington Wellness Support Center and Wellness Court Programs
The budget also funds Philadelphia's new Kensington Neighborhood Wellness Court, which offers individuals arrested for public drug use an alternative to traditional incarceration through same-day medical assessment, behavioral health services, and judicial diversion at the Kensington Wellness Support Center.
This partnership between multiple city agencies, the court system, and organizations like Merakey and Penn Addiction Medicine connects people with substance use disorders to treatment rather than jail, addressing critical gaps in the current diversion system.
These investments reflect Parker's vision of coordinating medical, behavioral health, and housing services into an efficient ecosystem that addresses substance use disorder and homelessness while supporting both individual recovery and neighborhood stability.
