(Philadelphia, PA - November 18, 2014)  - The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) will convert a vacant piece of land on the 3000 block of West Gordon Street into a quality, affordable housing development.  The agency, joined by elected officials, formally broke ground for the construction of Gordon Street Apartments today.

The site is bounded by 30th, Arizona, 31st, and Gordon Streets in the Strawberry Mansion area of the City. The modest new development will feature 21 units in a mixture of walkup units and townhomes.  Fourteen units will be located on the north side of the 3000 block of West Gordon Street while seven other units will be located on the 2300 block of North 30th Street. The area behind those units will have off-street parking and green space, filling out the area to Arizona Street.

Gordon Street Apartments will contain 5 three-bedroom townhomes, 2 three-bedroom flats, 12 two-bedroom townhomes and 2 two-bedroom flats. Two of the units will be handicapped accessible and conform to Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and section 504 requirements. One unit will be for the hearing/visually impaired.

All homes at the site will be built to Energy Star standards. By using less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating, Energy Star certified homes deliver approximately 20 percent savings on annual utility bills. They also help to prevent air pollution.

"Each time the City has an opportunity to support the development of affordable housing, we take a step forward in making Philadelphia a better city for everyone," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.  "The Strawberry Mansion neighborhood is on the rise and I am sure there will be many more developments like this one in the future.   It is my sincere hope that the construction phase of the new Gordon Street Apartments will attract business owners and residents who will also want to live and work in this revitalized section of the city."

"It's a plus whenever the housing authority can improve a neighborhood with quality, affordable housing," said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah.  "This is the second of three projects planned for the Strawberry Mansion community, representing a total investment of over $25 million by PHA.  We hope that our commitment to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood will encourage others to develop here as well, whether through new construction or renewal."

PHA's redevelopment of three sites in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood is something City Council President Darrell Clarke has long sought. His district covers this historic area and he has promoted an increase in various forms of affordable housing throughout the City, especially as older neighborhoods become attractive once again.

"The start of construction on this long-vacant land is part of the continued revitalization of Strawberry Mansion," Council President Clarke said. "The addition of quality housing units in this community is consistent with City Council's comprehensive strategy to increase quality, affordable housing across Philadelphia to ensure balanced neighborhood growth and targeted investment in struggling communities."

Gordon Street Apartments is the second of three PHA developments planned for the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Construction of the first development on Oakdale Street began in August. When all the developments are complete, 100 new housing units will have been added to the neighborhood.

Construction of the Gordon Street Apartments will create Section 3 job opportunities for low and very low-income persons, particularly for public and assisted housing residents.  PHA expects to complete construction of the new, $8.4 million development next May.