PHILADELPHIA — The Parker Administration today released the final report of the Philadelphia Home Assessment Bias Task Force, outlining recommendations to continue improving the accuracy, fairness, and transparency of residential property assessments citywide.
“Every Philadelphian deserves to know that the value placed on their home is fair, accurate, and determined by a process they can trust,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “This effort brought together experts to examine the issues and recommend real solutions. Now, we’re building on the progress already made and taking the next steps to ensure homeowners are treated fairly, no matter where they live in our city.”
Mayor Parker established the Task Force in 2024 following research that said there were assessment disparities in Black, Hispanic, and lower-income neighborhoods. Although Philadelphia’s Office of Property Assessment (OPA) had made significant improvements, the findings highlighted practical recommendations for continued improvement.
“Philadelphia has made meaningful progress in improving property assessments, but our work shows there is more to do to ensure that progress reaches every neighborhood,” said Ira Goldstein, Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Home Assessment Bias Task Force. “The recommendations in this report are practical, achievable steps to address persistent disparities, improve the quality of assessments, and give homeowners greater confidence in the fairness of the system. We appreciate Mayor Parker’s leadership in bringing this issue forward and her commitment to moving from research to action.”
Key Recommendations
The report outlines five areas for action:
- Better property data: Expand access to information about property conditions and real estate sales to improve valuations.
- Independent review: Examine assessment practices for potential disparities and identify fairer approaches.
- Regular reassessments: Maintain a predictable two- to three-year cycle to reflect changing property values.
- Easier appeals: Improve homeowner education and assistance, including consideration of a dedicated appeals advocate.
- Greater transparency: Make assessment methods easier to understand and explain how property values are determined.
Work Already Underway
The Administration has already begun acting on these priorities. The City’s Finance Department has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an independent review of OPA practices to identify potential unintended disparities in property valuations.
The effort also extends to developing local talent. On October 28, the Department of Planning and Development, OPA, and Temple University partnered to host the inaugural Appraiser and Assessor Career Expo, connecting Philadelphians with industry experts and opportunities to enter the property valuation field. The event was part of the City’s broader Home Appraisal Bias Program.
Both initiatives build on OPA’s documented improvements in assessment quality, with its overall results now meeting nationally recognized industry benchmarks.
“We appreciate the Task Force’s work and its commitment to improving property assessments for Philadelphia homeowners,” said James Aros, Jr., Chief Assessment Officer, Office of Property Assessment. “OPA has made significant progress in accuracy and uniformity, and these recommendations offer opportunities to build on that work. Our focus remains on delivering fair, accurate assessments and improving the experience for property owners.”
The full Philadelphia Home Assessment Bias Task Force Final Report and Recommendations is available here.