On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Leon and De’Wayne sit down with Andy Toy, Policy Director at PACDC. Amidst a season of tragedy surrounding affordable housing during the harshest weather season of the year, Andy talks about what has caused our affordable housing crisis, the pros and cons of Accessory Dwelling Units, and some of the housing victories we have seen locally. 

Andy Toy is the Policy Director at PACDC, where he chairs the Housing Committee among many other things. Andy is recognized as a thought leader and innovator when it comes to community and economic development. Andy’s policy and advocacy work has included efforts to ensure everyone has a voice in their community. He founded United Voices for Philadelphia and still engages in voter registration and voting advocacy. Andy also helped garner support for our public schools by founding the Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle and serving on the Philadelphia Public School Notebook. Andy was an appointee on the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission where he championed mixed income zoning policies as well as Accessory Dwelling Units. In 2006, Andy was selected as one of the top 101 Connectors in Philadelphia, and in 2021, he was named to Pennsylvania’s inaugural 50 Over 50 list by AARP and City&State.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/How-Did-We-Get-Here_-Affordable-Housing-Policy-with-Andy-Toy_otter_ai.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth