The Department of Commerce is aware that some Philadelphia businesses have received text messages saying that they’re approved for a grant from the Catalyst Fund and to provide their banking information. The City of Philadelphia and Department of Commerce never request financial or banking information via text message.

Do not click or tap on any links or respond to these messages. Do not provide any personal information. We urge businesses and residents to report any suspicious texts as spam and delete them immediately. To learn more about how the City handles sensitive data, read the Privacy Policy.

We’re aware of other phishing scams impacting the Department of Revenue. See their announcement to learn how to stay vigilant and protect your data.

The Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has prepared the City Fiscal Year 2025 CAPER. This report describes how the City of Philadelphia expended its resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), federal HOME funds, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) funds, and from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funds for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

The CAPER will be available online at https://www.phila.gov/documents/five-year-consolidated-plan-annual-action-plans-and-reports/ on September 12, 2025. Hard copies will be available by appointment only at the DHCD Department of Communications, 1234 Market St., 17^th floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. To arrange for a contact-free pickup of a hard copy of the CAPER or CDBG Financial Summary Report, please email Mirta.Duprey@phila.gov. Hard copies of the CAPER will also be available for review in the Government Publications departments of the Central, West Philadelphia Regional, Northwest Regional, and Northeast Regional branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Comments will be accepted through September 27^th, 2025 and can be sent by email to saundra.malanowicz@phila.gov or to the above address.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration system is currently down and cannot issue or renew HIC registrations. Check their website for complete information and updates.

Until service is restored, the Department of Licenses & Inspections will process Philadelphia registrations as follows:

• New PA HIC registration: Mail your application to the State and upload the acknowledgement form with your Philadelphia application.
• Existing PA HIC registration/New Philadelphia Registration: Upload a copy of your expired PA registration with your Philadelphia application.
• Existing PA HIC registration/Existing Philadelphia Registration: Submit a renewal or amendment and upload your current license with your Philadelphia application.

Registrations issued or renewed under this process will expire on December 31, 2025. Once the PA system is restored, you must update your Philadelphia registration with a valid PA certificate.