PHA President & CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah and Council President Darrell L. Clarke shake hands during a ceremony announcing that PHA has named its newest community center in Sharwood after Clarke, who is retiring from Council this year. Clarke has been a champion for affordable housing for many decades, and a familiar face in the neighborhood.

 

Contacts:

For PHA: Nichole Tillman, [email protected]; 215-888-2869                              

           

, PA. (December 15, 2023) –  The Philadelphia Housing Authority today honored retiring Council President Darrell L. Clarke, a champion of affordable housing and equity, by naming its newest community center in Sharswood after him.

The Center, at the corner of 24^th and Master Street, will be used by residents living in Sharswood 4A, a stylish new development of affordable, spacious rental townhouses unveiled by PHA unveiled just this week.

“Council President Darrell L. Clarke has been a champion of hope, most especially for Sharswood and North Philadelphia,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, PHA President & CEO. “I cannot think of a more fitting tribute for a man so deeply committed to preservation and expansion of affordable housing, equity, and social and economic mobility. When PHA began to revitalize the formerly red-lined neighborhood of Sharswood, the skeptics told us our bold plans wouldn’t work.  We made promises to the people in this once-forgotten neighborhood, and we were able to keep them because Darrell Clarke worked beside us, advocating mightily for the residents in the Fifth Council District. Both of us are stubborn, and both of us refuse to take no for an answer.”

Clarke Introduced and passed legislation authorizing PHA to acquire over1, 200 vacant lots in the project footprint.  He supported and advocated for PHA’s $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant, and secured city grant funds to meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) local match requirement. Clarke supported the overall project as well, assisting in obtaining zoning and expedited building permits that allowed PHA to meet the growing demand for affordable homes.

The 4A townhouses replace some of the PHA rental units lost when the authority imploded Blumberg Towers in 2016. The aging towers were in need of major repairs, and they had become a haven for drugs and crime. The modern townhouses blend in with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood. The new Darrell L. Clarke Community Center has a kitchenette, a space for community gatherings, and computers that residents can use.

The new community center will serve as a reminder of Council President Clarke’s service to the city, said Lynette Brown-Sow, Chairman of the PHA Board of Trustees. .

“Darrell Clarke is a champion of the people as well as an astute legislator who is highly skilled at bringing together diverse groups and partners to solve challenges,” said Lynette Brown-Sow, Chairman of the PHA Board of Commissioners. “His legislative agenda has always been centered on the principles of fairness and equity. He understands, truly, that Philadelphia benefits the most when everyone in the city gains from the growth and prosperity that new development brings.”

Asia Coney, a PHA resident who serves on the PHA Board of Commissioners, said the recognition is well deserved.

“Council President Clarke is often there before we can even make the call asking for help,” Coney said. “He travels around the neighborhoods, listening to residents’ concerns and seeking bold ways to improve housing affordability and preserve the existing housing stock. PHA residents are grateful for all that he has done for the city, for us, and for our communities.”

Clarke, who is the President of City Council, represents the 5th Council District which includes North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Lower Hunting Park, Ludlow, Yorktown, West Poplar, Fairhill, Brewerytown, Francisville, Spring Garden, Fairmount, Logan Square, and parts of Northwood, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and Center City.

PHA Residents Get In the Driver’s Seat: PHA and Zipcar are partnering to provide residents at four housing sites with convenient access to Zipcars, the world’s leading shared ride service. PHA Board Commissioner Ethel Wise (green coat) and Council Member Katherine Gilmore Richardson (blue suit) hold the scissors as Council member Kenyatta Johnson (far left); PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah; PHA Board Chair Lynette Brown-Sow, and Zipcar President Angelo Adams look on.

Media Contacts:

• Philadelphia Housing Authority: Nichole Tillman| [email protected] | 215-888-2869
• Zipcar: Ashley Leduc | [email protected] | 413-374-8513

 

Philadelphia Housing Authority and Zipcar Partner to Bring Car-Sharing Vehicles to Residents as Economic Mobility Tool

Access to vehicles will drive new opportunities for 80,000 residents

PHILADELPHIA, November 18, 2023 – The Philadelphia Housing Authority, the nation’s fourth largest and leading housing authority, and Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, today celebrated the launch of a new partnership that will provide shared vehicles to residents of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). Zipcar estimates that members of the communities, who may not be able to access an affordable, convenient vehicle when they need one, will now take thousands of trips for errands, medical and professional appointments, leisure trips, out-of-town travel and small business needs.

“Our mission is to open doors to affordable housing, economic opportunity and safe, sustainable communities to benefit Philadelphia residents with low incomes,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, PHA President & CEO. “We provide tools to residents to assist with economic mobility. Zipcar is one of those tools. Now residents will have access to transportation in real time to get job interviews or other amenities throughout the community.”

“Zipcar is thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia Housing Authority to bring affordable, convenient access to vehicles, and better yet, professional job and personal opportunity to its residents,” said Angelo Adams, Head of Zipcar and Philadelphia native. “Public partners are tackling a growing trifecta – climate, equity and mobility issues – and because of this, Zipcar is seeing increased demand for car sharing in cities, especially underserved communities. Growing up in the Logan neighborhood of North Philadelphia, I’m eager to see Zipcar help drive this community forward.”

Eight Zipcars will be available 24/7 on-demand by the hour, day or week in two dedicated, on-street parking spots located at John F. Street Community Center, the Lucien Blackwell Community Center, the Vaux Community Building and the Wilson Park Apartments. Recently, the PHA received a grant for a Jobs Plus Initiative Program designed to help Wilson Park residents between the ages of 18 to 64 increase their incomes, achieve self-sufficiency and find better-paying job opportunities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program launched in January 2022 and will end in December 2025. The Zipcars will help residents drive to job interviews, healthcare appointments and run important errands.

Discounted membership will be available exclusively to Philadelphia Housing Authority residents in addition to the costs of gas, insurance options, parking, maintenance, roadside service and 180 miles, all of which are included in a Zipcar membership. With the cost of car ownership on the rise, Zipcar estimates it saves its average member $1,000 monthly on costs associated with transportation. To join, book and drive, Philadelphia Housing Authority residents simply visit https://www.zipcar.com/partners/pha

Car Sharing’s Impact on Philadelphia

Since 2007, Zipcar has been providing Philadelphians with access to a vehicle without the cost or hassles of car ownership. Today, more than 300 Zipcar vehicles can be easily found at 140 locations a

cross several neighborhoods including South Philly, Spring Garden, West Philly, University City, Fishtown, Old City, Washington Square and Rittenhouse.

Studies show that Zipcar reduces personal vehicle ownership in cities nationwide, including Philadelphia. The round-trip car-sharing model reduces congestion and carbon emissions while also fueling the use of sustainable transportation modes like public transit, bike sharing, walking and car sharing, for destinations that require driving. According to Zipcar’s annual North American Transportation Survey¹, more than 70% of Philadelphia members state that Zipcar plays an important role in their lives by:

• Cutting Costs of Car Ownership: Nearly 60% of members in Philadelphia joined Zipcar to avoid the costs of car ownership (car payments, gas, insurance, parking, etc.); Nearly 90% of members do not own a car and about half postponed buying or leasing because of Zipcar
• Saving Money: 50% put money saved from Zipcar towards savings, and one third put towards groceries and/or housing
• Accessing Opportunity: 80% of Zipcar members in Philadelphia are within convenient walking distance of a Zipcar and primarily drive for work, appointments, out of town trips, to visit family or friends, to grocery shop and run errands.
• Serving All Philadelphians: In Philadelphia, Zipcar helps provide transportation to a diverse member base who may not otherwise have access to a vehicle: 50% of members have less than Pennsylvania’s median household income, 55% live in multi-family housing, 46% identify as BIPOC.

The launch at the Philadelphia Housing Authority builds on Zipcar’s partnerships with underserved communities including The New York City Housing Authority, where Zipcar was the first to provide car-sharing to the nation’s largest housing authority, and The City of Sacramento’s “OurCommunityCarShare” program, an innovative zero emissions mobility program powered by Zipcar electric vehicles.

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About PHA

The Philadelphia Housing Authority’s mission is to open doors to affordable housing, economic opportunity and safe, sustainable communities to benefit Philadelphia residents with low incomes. Learn more at www.pha.phila.gov.

 

About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, driven by a mission to enable simple and responsible urban living. With its wide variety of self-service vehicles available by the hour, day or week, Zipcar operates in urban areas and university campuses in hundreds of cities, towns, and universities. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of transportation solutions. More information is available at www.zipcar.com

 

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A public hearing will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 – 2:00pm

https://pha.webex.com/pha/j.php?MTID=mce431d37bf96639f982ceb4f2b30dd4f

or WebEx.com Meeting Number: 2343 608 6822; Password: MTW25

Or Join By Phone: 1-844-621-3956; Password: MTW25 (68925)

 

A public hearing will be held virtually on

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 – 2:00pm

https://pha.webex.com/pha/j.php?MTID=mce431d37bf96639f982ceb4f2b30dd4f

or WebEx.com Meeting Number: 2343 608 6822; Password: MTW25

Or Join By Phone: 1-844-621-3956; Password: MTW25 (68925)