Philadelphia Housing Authority

PHA Begins Housing Evacuees

PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 9, 2005) PHA has become one of the first housing authorities in the nation to begin placing Hurricane Katrina evacuees, left homeless by the storm. The first group of more than 20 evacuees toured PHA sites including Wilson Park, Morton Homes, a block that included Scattered Site homes in the Francesville section, and Bartram Village.

PHA Executive Director Carl Greene personally led the three and a half hour tour, underscoring his commitment to making the placement of the disaster victims the agencys highest priority.

Catalino Castillo quickly jumped on the two-bedroom home available at Bartram Village in Southwest Philadelphia. He is now planning to bring his wife and two children, temporarily housed in Texas, to Philadelphia to live once again as a family.

Tenant council president Martha Copes welcomed the first senior at Wilson Park. Roxy Right said she was extremely grateful to PHA. The former hospital worker had been close to retirement in New Orleans. Now, she says that retirement may have come just a little ahead of schedule.

PHA has scheduled daily home selection tours until all the evacuees interested in living in PHA housing have a new home.

Hurricane Katrina evacuee Catalino Castillo shows his appreciation to PHA Executive Director Carl Greene. Castillo and his family will be moving in to a two-bedroom home apartment at Bartram Village in Southwest Philadelphia.

PHA Executive Carl Greene shares a light moment with Hurricane Katrina refugees during a home selection tour including Wilson Park, Morton Homes, Bartram Village and a scattered site block in Francesvile.

Resident Council President Martha Copes welcomes New Orleans resident Roxy Right to her new home at Wilson Park. Right was the first senior from New Orleans to be admitted as a resident.

PHA Executive Director Carl Greene talks with seniors at Wilson Park.