Initiative aims puts homeownership in reach for all Philadelphians 

(Philadelphia, PA –August 26, 2021 )

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is looking for a development partner or partners to construct  affordable homeownership on 65 PHA owned vacant lots in the rapidly changing Sharswood neighborhood of North Philadelphia. 

“PHA continues to work closely with public and private partners to transform Sharswood into a neighborhood of choice. The new grocery store at Sharswood Ridge already has begun luring diverse shoppers from around the city. This community now has the quality schools, supportive social services and the amenities that foster housing stability,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “Homeownership is the cornerstone of strong neighborhoods. Part of our mission is opening the door to homeownership opportunities for hard-working families who are ready to build wealth. “ 

The properties involved are bounded by Thompson, Master, 21st and 24th streets. Under the program, PHA will convey the properties for a nominal fee. In exchange, the developers can sell to families earning only as high as 120% of Area Median Income, which in Philadelphia is about $126,000 a year for a family of four. 

A developer may propose to develop one or both of the plan’s two groupings. Once selected through this Request for Qualifications, the developer will lead all aspects of the process, including design, financing, construction, and marketing and selling the homes. PHA expects them to communicate with community stakeholders throughout the development process. 

Homes will have an anti-flipping provision because these units will be sold at below-market prices. If a buyer decides to sell their home, the home will have to be sold to a family earning at or below that same 120% of Area Median Income with the same sales price restrictions.Sales prices are capped at $280,000 but developers are encouraged to provide a range of sale prices to reach buyers at even lower incomes. Additional financial assistance will be available to PHA residents. 

Proposers have until September 30th, 2022, to submit proposals. A pre-proposal conference via Webex is set for August 31, 2022 at 11 am. While not mandatory, PHA recommends that potential developers attend the proposal meeting. Please email [email protected] to RSVP. PHA strongly encourages minority-owned and women-owned businesses to apply as well as local businesses, non-profits and mission-driven housing organizations. 

To see the full Request for Proposals, please visit https://pha.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/73704 

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Philadelphia, PA (June 1, 2022) Frankel Enterprises, in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the City of Philadelphia, celebrated the completion of The Residences at Diamond Village, 30 family-sized affordable homes located at 1100 Diamond Street along North 8th and North 11th Streets. Diamond Village represents the final stage of the $30 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (CNI) awarded to the City of Philadelphia and the PHA in 2014.

The new residents are mostly first-time home buyers. Five new homeowners are former residents from PHA homes, including three families who lived at the site of the original 1960 Norris Homes, which were replaced as part of The North Central Choice Plan. The neighborhood has been transformed through several phases of redevelopment, with PHA creating successful public-private partnerships through the CNI, including The Residences at Diamond Village. Homeownership is critical in stabilizing neighborhoods, addressing blight, creating intergenerational wealth, and balancing the volume of market-rate housing in gentrifying neighborhoods. All homebuyers met income eligibility requirements and were encouraged to Frankel Enterprises, in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the City of Philadelphia, celebrated the completion of The Residences at Diamond Village in North Philly. From left are State Rep. Donna Bullock: Zackary Frankel; Max Frankel, Community leader Donna Richardson; PHA President & CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, new homeowner, Alexis Smith-Williams and City Council President Darrell L. Clarke. completed homeownership counseling to purchase the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes with a rear patio.

Homeownership is critical in stabilizing neighborhoods, addressing blight, creating intergenerational wealth, and balancing the volume of market-rate housing in gentrifying neighborhoods. All homebuyers met income eligibility requirements and were encouraged to completed homeownership counseling to purchase the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes with a rear patio.

The Residences at Diamond Village are the second workforce housing development built by Frankel Enterprises. West Poplar Homes, comprised of 26 single family homes was completed in 2019. Frankel Enterprises will continue its strong relationship with PHA when they break ground this fall on 73 single family homes in the Sharswood neighborhood. Applications for the yet to be named development, are currently being accepted at PhillyWorkforceHomes.com.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome new homeowners to The Residences at Diamond Village and honored to have families choose to live in the homes we built,” says Zachary Frankel, Principal of Frankel Enterprises. “Reactivating vacant property to create high-quality homes that will last for generations is transformational for this neighborhood and the families that live here.”

“When Philadelphians are given access to opportunities such as homeownership, they are given the power to change the trajectory of life for themselves and for future generations,” said PHA’sPresident and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “The best way to stop the surge in violence is to ensure families and children have the basicnecessities so they can succeed at work and excel in school. Homeownership does just that. It builds wealth,
stabilizes homes and restores communities.”

“Another day, and another ribbon-cutting for 30 new affordable homes for residents in North Philadelphia,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke, whose 5th District includes the Residences at Diamond Village. “Most of these residents are first-time homebuyers, and several lived at the original Norris Homes. Thanks to the hard work, vision and partnership that we have with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the City of Philadelphia, City Council and Frankel Enterprises, this is another really good day of affordable housing coming on line for Philadelphians.”

Congressman Dwight Evans said, “I was pleased to work diligently with the city government to aid PHA’s application for the $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative federal grant, and I’m happy to see the initiative succeeding for Philadelphians.”

“PHA is critical to building sustainable communities with quality affordable housing, public transportation, commercial corridors and other community assets. The residents that move in here will attend local schools, shop at nearby businesses and become a part of the fabric of the neighborhood,” says Donna Richardson, CEO of Norris Community Resident Council.

About Frankel Enterprises

Founded in 1936 by E.J. Frankel, whose work ethic, integrity, and creativity launched major projects in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, and South Florida. Today, Frankel Enterprises is a fourthgeneration, family-owned real estate development company focused on investment in the Mid-Atlantic and South Florida. The company is widely recognized for building a legacy of Philadelphia development including The Warwick Condominiums, Kennedy House, William Penn House, and 1845 Walnut Street, as well as luxury communities in Florida.

Philadelphia, PA (June 1, 2022) Frankel Enterprises, in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the City of Philadelphia, celebrated the completion of The Residences at Diamond Village, 30 family-sized affordable homes located at 1100 Diamond Street along North 8th and North 11th Streets. Diamond Village represents the final stage of the $30 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (CNI) awarded to the City of Philadelphia and the PHA in 2014.

The new residents are mostly first-time home buyers. Five new homeowners are former residents from PHA homes, including three families who lived at the site of the original 1960 Norris Homes, which were replaced as part of The North Central Choice Plan. The neighborhood has been transformed through several phases of redevelopment, with PHA creating successful public-private partnerships through the CNI, including The Residences at Diamond Village. Homeownership is critical in stabilizing neighborhoods, addressing blight, creating intergenerational wealth, and balancing the volume of market-rate housing in gentrifying neighborhoods. All homebuyers met income eligibility requirements and were encouraged to Frankel Enterprises, in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the City of Philadelphia, celebrated the completion of The Residences at Diamond Village in North Philly. From left are State Rep. Donna Bullock: Zackary Frankel; Max Frankel, Community leader Donna Richardson; PHA President & CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, new homeowner, Alexis Smith-Williams and City Council President Darrell L. Clarke. completed homeownership counseling to purchase the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes with a rear patio.

Homeownership is critical in stabilizing neighborhoods, addressing blight, creating intergenerational wealth, and balancing the volume of market-rate housing in gentrifying neighborhoods. All homebuyers met income eligibility requirements and were encouraged to completed homeownership counseling to purchase the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes with a rear patio.

The Residences at Diamond Village are the second workforce housing development built by Frankel Enterprises. West Poplar Homes, comprised of 26 single family homes was completed in 2019. Frankel Enterprises will continue its strong relationship with PHA when they break ground this fall on 73 single family homes in the Sharswood neighborhood. Applications for the yet to be named development, are currently being accepted at PhillyWorkforceHomes.com.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome new homeowners to The Residences at Diamond Village and honored to have families choose to live in the homes we built,” says Zachary Frankel, Principal of Frankel Enterprises. “Reactivating vacant property to create high-quality homes that will last for generations is transformational for this neighborhood and the families that live here.”

“When Philadelphians are given access to opportunities such as homeownership, they are given the power to change the trajectory of life for themselves and for future generations,” said PHA’sPresident and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “The best way to stop the surge in violence is to ensure families and children have the basicnecessities so they can succeed at work and excel in school. Homeownership does just that. It builds wealth,
stabilizes homes and restores communities.”

“Another day, and another ribbon-cutting for 30 new affordable homes for residents in North Philadelphia,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke, whose 5th District includes the Residences at Diamond Village. “Most of these residents are first-time homebuyers, and several lived at the original Norris Homes. Thanks to the hard work, vision and partnership that we have with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the City of Philadelphia, City Council and Frankel Enterprises, this is another really good day of affordable housing coming on line for Philadelphians.”

Congressman Dwight Evans said, “I was pleased to work diligently with the city government to aid PHA’s application for the $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative federal grant, and I’m happy to see the initiative succeeding for Philadelphians.”

“PHA is critical to building sustainable communities with quality affordable housing, public transportation, commercial corridors and other community assets. The residents that move in here will attend local schools, shop at nearby businesses and become a part of the fabric of the neighborhood,” says Donna Richardson, CEO of Norris Community Resident Council.

About Frankel Enterprises

Founded in 1936 by E.J. Frankel, whose work ethic, integrity, and creativity launched major projects in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, and South Florida. Today, Frankel Enterprises is a fourthgeneration, family-owned real estate development company focused on investment in the Mid-Atlantic and South Florida. The company is widely recognized for building a legacy of Philadelphia development including The Warwick Condominiums, Kennedy House, William Penn House, and 1845 Walnut Street, as well as luxury communities in Florida.

PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia announced today the launch of the Violence Prevention Support Services initiative, a partnership between the City and Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). The two agencies will collaborate to advance key strategies in the Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities. The project focuses on delivering supportive services to individuals ages 18 to 34 living in PHA supported housing and who are at high risk of becoming involved in or a victim to gun violence.

As the largest landlord in Pennsylvania and with many of its residents highly at-risk of engaging in or becoming victims of gun violence, the Philadelphia Housing authority is uniquely positioned to partner with the City in this effort and tackle this issue of gun violence head on.

“As we fight to protect our communities and do everything we can to create a safer Philadelphia,
we continue to strive towards stronger collaboration and coordination across all our services— with a strong focus on neighborhoods and areas of the city that are most impacted by violence,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This partnership with PHA is a meaningful step forward that will help enhance our ability to deliver resources, supports, and services to the people most in need.”

The Anti-Violence Support Services initiative seeks to reduce gun violence in the following ways:

1. Expanding and deepening outreach and engagement to individuals most at risk of committing gun violence.
2. Expanding the availability of supportive services for those individuals most at risk of committing gun violence.

To achieve these goals, the City looks to increase access to resources for individuals most at risk of committing gun violence living within public housing by expanding on-site services for residents living within or near PHA supported housing. The initiative will launch at the following PHA sites:

1. Bartram Village (5404 Gibson Drive, 19143)
2. Strawberry Mansion Apartments & Gordon Apartments (33rd & Berks Streets, 19121)
3. Wilson Park (2500 Jackson Street, 19145)
4. Raymond Rosen (2301 West Edgley Street, 19121)
5. Richard Allen (110 Poplar Street, 19123)

“The PHA is excited to partner with the City of Philadelphia and the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) on this important initiative,” said PHA’s President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “The RAB represents PHA residents from across all parts of the City and they have a deep understanding of the needs of the communities we serve. They are well positioned to lead this effort. I want to thank them and the Mayor for this important collaboration that will reach the young men in these communities.”

The Resident Advisory Board will lead the initiative with support from leading non-profits focused on violence prevention, Every Murder Is Real and Father’s Day Rally Committee. The initiative will be conducted in two phases. Phase One involves outreach to 300+ individuals at risk of involvement with gun violence, with the goal of enrolling 150. During Phase one, enrolled participants attend facilitated sessions for ten weeks to receive financial, professional, and mental health support, with financial incentives of up to $1,000 for participants hitting key milestones. Phase Two will provide ongoing mental health support and focuses on career selection, skill building, and connection to job training and other employment services provided by the PHA partners such as PowerCorpsPHL, PHA CVS Pharmacy Tech Program, PHA’s entrepreneurial fellowships and more.

The Violence Prevention Support Services Initiative is funded jointly by the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Authority and will continue throughout the fall.