Both Clinton and Obama offer housing proposals on their Web sites. In addition to her mortgage plan, which she announced in Philadelphia, Clinton lists housing priorities in her poverty plan and her "urban agenda." Obama does the same in his poverty plan and his family plan. But experts said that they haven't heard the candidates address many housing issues in depth.
Beyond foreclosures, experts say, Philadelphia is grappling with a lack of money for public housing, limited resources for community development and a chronic homeless problem.
"I don't see anybody standing out in a particular way," said Sister Mary Scullion, of the homeless aid group Project HOME. "We've invited all three candidates to come to Project HOME and talk about the issues of housing and homelessness."
So far, none has responded.
Asked for specifics about Obama's homeless program, his campaign pointed to his plans to support homeless veterans and related housing initiatives. The Clinton campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Schwartz said that under President Bush, Philly has lost federal dollars from a number of programs that aid housing. He said that there's less funding to build public housing and fewer Section-8 housing vouchers to assist low-income renters and homeowners.
"The federal government under Bush has pretty much attempted to abandon housing," Schwartz said. "The number of affordable housing units has plummeted in Philadelphia."
Scullion agreed, saying, "There's definitely been a hit on housing programs for low-income people."
She noted that after the implosion of public-housing high-rise towers in the city, the same number of units were never rebuilt.
Schwartz stressed that this is a problem that Philadelphia can't handle without federal aid.
"There is no way for a city to assume the financial responsibility of helping people who need housing get it with the resources at its disposal," he said.
