Career
Young passed the bar exam in 2013 and joined Clarke's Council office as an attorney until 2019. During his time in Clarke's office he gained experience in legal matters related to development. [2] In 2019 he joined the Legis Group,specializing in real estate,government affairs and business law. [3]
Young started gathering signatures to appear on the May 2023 primary ballot for the Philadelphia City Council 5th District race before Clarke announced he wouldn't seek reelection. Meanwhile,six potential challengers were disqualified from running due to problems with their nominating petition. [5] Although Young's petitions were also challenged,with all other candidates disqualified,the lawyer for one of his disqualified opponents chose not to pursue the issue,leaving Young as the sole candidate on the primary ballot. [6]
Young is a proponent of councilmanic prerogative,the unwritten rule that district council members have final say over all manner of land use decisions within their district,because it helps prevent unwanted development in neighborhoods. [2] Young has identified his top priorities as reducing gun violence,improving educational outcomes,increasing investment in youth,reforming public safety institutions,creating economic opportunities,and promoting sustainable and equitable development. [3]
Young has been a critic of density,bike lanes and SEPTA,arguing that his constituents want more parking and less density. [7]
Regarding climate change issues,Young said that natural gas can help fuel the economy until clean energy becomes more widely available. As of 2024 he does not support a ban on natural gas hookups in new construction but is open to it in the future. [8] He said the city should incentivize more Philadelphians to use SEPTA through tax credits or other benefits,emphasizing the need to equip the public transit system with the infrastructure required to support a low-emission future. [8]
Actions on housing
He is a frequent opponent of housing developments in his district. Soon after taking office he announced plans to pursue a lawsuit initiated by former City Council President Darrell L. Clarke against the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA),contending that the board unlawfully granted a variance for a proposed apartment building on North Broad Street. [9] Young has sought to fine property owners if they convert housing zoned for single-family housing into multiple apartments. [1]
In 2024,Young blocked the construction of 57 senior affordable housing units on Diamond Street. [10] The proposed senior housing development had been in the works since 2019,experienced delays by his predecessor Darren Clarke,and only required minor approvals before Young blocked it. Young designated a group run by his staffer Bonita Cummings,known for opposing most new housing,as the coordinating Registered Community Organization for the proposed housing development. In an April 2025 meeting,Cummings said that the senior affordable housing was akin to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment where African-Americans were deceptively injected with syphilis. [10]
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