Author: Emma Hambleton

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice began as a grassroots movement led by BIPOC communities and advocates for economic and racial justice, as well as environmental stewardship in decision making, fair treatment and involvement of all people regardless of race, income, and national origin.

Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability envisions “an environmentally just city where race, socioeconomic status, and ZIP code no longer predict residents’ health or exposure to hazards.”

Here you can find various resources that are available to Philadelphia residents to address environmental issues in your home and community.

Resources for Residents:

Air Quality:

Check air quality

Receive air quality notifications

Alert Air Management Services to issues such as idling, dust, or unusual odor. Call 215-685-7580 (business hours) or 215-686-4516 (all other times)

Water Quality:

Questions about lead in your water: 215-685-6300

See what material your water service line is made of

Homeowner’s Emergency Loan Program (HELP)

Healthy Homes:

Lead and Healthy Homes program

Housing Benefits Tool

Built to Last programs

Philadelphia Housing Development Program Adaptive Modifications Program, which aids low-income individuals with permanent physical disabilities live more independently in their homes

PHDC’s Basic Systems Repair Program provides free repairs to correct electrical, plumbing, heating, limited structural and carpentry, as well as roofing emergencies

Flooding & Storms:

ReadyPhiladelphia: the city’s free emergency text and email alert system

Basement Protection Program: Philadelphia Water Department’s program to help protect your basement from flooding

Philadelphia Water Department’s Raincheck Program: Residential stormwater management tools

Office of Emergency Management’s flood preparedness information

Greenworks Resilient Community Worksheet: planning for how to respond to a storm or other emergency management

Extreme Temperatures:

For extreme heat days, find your local cooling center

Community Heat Relief Toolkit: ways to prepare your community for hotter summers

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Assistance to help pay your home heating bill

Find out if you qualify for assistance with your electricity bill: Call PECO CARES at 1-800-774-7040

Visit a Neighborhood Energy Center for help paying energy bills, find a list of centers here

Waste, Litter, Illegal Dumping:

Report illegal dumping and unlicensed construction by calling 3-1-1 or visiting Philly311.

Philadelphia’s Vacant Lot Program, which inspects and cleans vacant lots that need maintenance

Organize and elect a block captain, who work to make their block safe and beautiful

Find a sanitation convenience center to drop off trash or recycling (oversized trash, yard waste, recycling, etc.)

Bulk Collection Program: schedule a trash pickup appointment for bulky household items

Green Space:

Learn how to garden safely in Philadelphia’s urban soil

Request a free yard or street tree through TreePhilly

Zoning & Development:

Connect with your Registered Community Organization (RCO)

To comment on any appeals decision, attend a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing

To learn more about land use decision-making, visit Philadelphia’s Citizens Planning Institute

We hope you celebrate Earth Month by taking action and advance our collective goal of ensuring all neighborhoods in Philly are just, thriving, and green. All information from this blog was originally posted here: https://www.phila.gov/2025-02-25-spotlight-environmental-justice-month-and-resources-for-residents/?mc_cid=67e6322252&mc_eid=acee551f59