Media Contact:

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

 

 

Find Summer Food, Fun or a Purpose at a Nearby PHA Housing Location  

Healthy Eating and Healthy Living Are as Important for Youth as ever in 2023

 

 (Philadelphia, PA – June 12, 2023) – The Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA) children and those in surrounding neighborhoods will have access to healthy breakfasts and lunches as well as fun, recreational activities this summer.

“Access to good, nutritional hot meals is critical to the overall development of young people, in addition to maintaining their health,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah.  “PHA will offer free meals and free summer camps where youth can engage in educational and recreational enrichment activities. In addition, PHA again has youth entrepreneurship programs and career-readiness workshops planned to connect youth with their passions.”

The Summer Camps, which will run from July 26 to August 18 from 9 am to 3 pm, will operate Mondays – Fridays at the following 10 sites: Abbottsford Community Center, Richard Allen/Cambridge, Bartram Village, Johnson Homes, Mantua Community Center, Norris Apartments, Lucien E. Blackwell Center, Spring Garden Apartments, Wilson Park, and Vaux Big Picture High School. The camps are facilitated by the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, PHA, Dream Inc. and Mighty Writers. Camp Activities include recreational, sports, literacy, arts and crafts. Programs are free and open to PHA residents ages 5-17.

The PHA Summer Food Service Program, which will be held June 26, 2023, offers breakfasts and lunches for youth until August 18, 2023. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays-Fridays for breakfast and 12-2 pm for lunch. There is no charge for the meals.

The food program is offered at 10 locations: Abbottsford Community Center, Bartram Village Community Center, Hill Creek Apartments Community Center, Johnson Homes Community Center, Norris Community Center, Lucien E. Blackwell Center, Raymond Rosen Community Center, John F. Street Community Center, Spring Garden Apartments and Wilson Park Community Center.

The PHA Summer food program is open to both youth in public housing and in the community. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide partial reimbursement to PHA.

Children who do not live near a participating PHA site can still go to a neighboring site or one of sites operated by the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, which plans to offer similar meals. Residents, including those who were formerly served at sites that are not hosting the program this summer, can go online to the USDA website at

 https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids to locate the Summer Food locations closest to them.

Residents can also look for the site nearest to them at http://www.hungercoalition.org/summermeals/map or call the coalition’s hotline at 1-855-252-MEAL. SFSP is a reimbursement-based grant program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, through Pennsylvania’s Department of Education.  The intent of this program is to provide free breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks to children 18-years-old and under. For more information about participating in PHA’s Summer Food Service Program or summer camp program, PHA residents can email [email protected] or call: 215-684-8109

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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.

To provide additional opportunities for public review and comment, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is extending the public comment period for the following until June 12, 2023 at 12 noon.

Click to read:

Proposed ACOP

Proposed Admin Plan

Proposed MTW Plan FY 2024

PHA residents, Housing Choice Voucher participants and the public may provide oral comments by attending the virtual public hearing described below and/or by submitting written comments during the comment period.    A public hearing will be conducted at the following time and location:

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Join by web by link: 

https://pha.webex.com/pha/j.php?MTID=mb11a56ef2418a7f4416d11882e1e466b

Join by web manually via WebEx:

Meeting number: 2343 283 2428/Password: MTW24

Call in: 

1-844-621-3956 – Access code: 2343 283 2428

 

 

The public comment period begins on May 3, 2023 at 12 noon

and ends on June 2, 2023 at 12 noon.

Comments must be received by the end of the comment period.

Please send written comments to:

The Philadelphia Housing Authority

Attention: Jennifer Ragen – Public Comments

Office of the General Counsel

2013 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121

or

[email protected]

A Place to Call Home in Sharswood: The Philadelphia Housing Authority and Frankel Enterprises broke ground yesterday on 73 new construction homes and condos in Sharswood. From left are US Congressman Dwight Evans; Zachary Frankel; Lynette Brown-Sow; Cherelle Parker; Darrell L. Clarke; Max Frankel, Kelvin Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA, and  Ryan Schlegel from Mid Penn Bank. Photo: Maurice Browne

73 Affordable Homes Will Revitalize the Site of the Former Norman Blumberg Apartments in Brewerytown/Sharswood Neighborhood

Bucknell Square and Girard Commons Now Accepting Applications

 Philadelphia, PA (May 22, 2023) – Frankel Enterprises celebrated the groundbreaking of Bucknell Square and Girard Commons, two workforce housing communities totaling 73 affordable homes located in the Brewerytown / Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia. The $17 million projects are a partnership between Frankel Enterprises, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Mid Penn Bank, and the City of Philadelphia to create quality affordable housing opportunities for Philadelphia residents.

The new housing at Bucknell Square is located on the site of the former Norman Blumberg Apartments, a half century old public-housing complex demolished in 2016 that for years were the epicenter of crime and poverty in the area. The new workforce housing developments – located just projects will help revitalize the neighborhood and represent part of a $30 million Sharswood Blumberg Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (CNI) that was awarded to the City of Philadelphia and the PHA in 2020.

This development comes on the heels of another successful workforce housing partnership completed by Frankel Enterprises and PHA at The Residences at Diamond Village, a community of 30 affordable single-family homes in North Philadelphia.

“We’re thrilled to kick-off this much needed project and look forward to another transformative partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority,” said Max Frankel, Principal of Frankel Enterprises. “Homeownership is a key factor in stabilizing neighborhoods and creating intergenerational wealth for residents. We look forward to supporting continued community revitalization through high quality housing for families in Brewerytown.”

“The construction of these new homes enhances Sharswood’s reputation as an up-and-coming neighborhood,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA. “This mixed-income community currently has the building blocks to foster a vibrant community – an expanding commercial corridor, sustainable, award-winning housing developments, community venues where people can connect and grow, and now these workforce homes that offer lifestyle options.”

“The community of Sharswood continues to rise, and adding new, affordable workforce housing is crucial to all of this positive momentum in North Philadelphia,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5^th District). “The partnership between PHA, the City of Philadelphia, City Council, Frankel Enterprises and the financial lenders is improving housing opportunities and the overall quality of life for the people of Sharswood. We could not be more pleased.”

“We want to thank Council President Clarke and Senator Street for their leadership in addressing the housing crisis and creating opportunities for much needed affordable housing,” said Zachary Frankel, Principal, Frankel Enterprises. “Frankel has a rich history of building high-quality homes to last generations, and we are thrilled to partner with PHA and the City of Philadelphia to ensure working families have access to affordable home ownership.”

Bucknell Square and Girard Commons workforce housing developments are a collection of new construction, single-family houses and condominium units, each consisting of 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom floorplans. Bucknell Square will boast 36-single family homes with private backyards, assigned private parking, a roof deck, and rear patio. Girard Commons will feature a collection of 37 single-family homes and condominium-type units with private outdoor space no more than $299,000.

The city offers several grants for homebuyers.

Interested parties can learn more about the projects and virtually tour a home at PhillyWorkforceHomes.com. Individuals and families who meet qualifications can apply online at PhillyWorkForceHomes.com/apply or call directly at (267) 571-8519. Philadelphia Housing Authority residents can reach out to the homeownership department at (215) 684-8926.

 

About Frankel Enterprises

Founded in 1936 by E.J. Frankel, Frankel Enterprises is a fourth-generation, family-owned real estate development company incorporating planning, financing and construction into an efficient development process. The company’s portfolio includes affordable, market rate and luxury housing communities in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio and South Florida. In Philadelphia, Frankel Enterprises commitment to affordable housing includes transformative projects such as West Poplar Homes, The Residences at Diamond Villages, Bucknell Square and Girard Commons. For more information visit www.frankelre.com.

About Philadelphia Housing Authority

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.

 

 

Media Contact:

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

 

PHA Appoints Robert W. Clark as VP of Public Safety, an Inaugural Position Emphasizing Crime Prevention and Well-Being

The agency has reimagined public safety into a collaborative unit

 

(Philadelphia – April 11, 2023) — Robert W. Clark has been named Vice President of Public Safety at the Philadelphia Housing Authority, an inaugural position that emphasizes crime prevention, social justice, and community well-being.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Vice President, Public Safety, Audit and Compliance, and an advisor to the President & CEO, Clark will lead the transformation of PHA’s reimagined public safety initiative from the current policing model, to a new public safety structure focused on crime prevention, diversion, social justice, and creating and sustaining secure, safe PHA neighborhoods through collaboration with myriad stakeholders, especially residents.

“With help and assistance from our resident leaders, PHA has undertaken an effort to reimagine public safety as a way to serve residents and improve their overall well-being,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA. “We intend to do this by prioritizing their most urgent safety needs and concerns, and by finding ways to prevent crimes, enhance collaborations between the community and officers, and ensure neighborhoods are safe and secure for everyone, especially our youth.”

Clark formerly served as director of the Columbus, Ohio, Department of Public Safety. He brings an impressive track record as a leader in innovative and service-oriented policing, building upon several decades of local, federal and international law enforcement experiences.

Moreover, his own background enables him to understand the challenges and barriers faced by PHA residents. At 13 years old, he lost his father to gun violence. That tragedy and his lived experience have driven his desire to serve others.

“I’m from the inner city, from public housing, from foster care. And having those experiences really allows me to directly relate to our community. I have a servant’s heart and because of where I’m from and where I have been in my career, I have the ability and the passion to listen to the community, and understand their needs and concerns,” he said.

The new VP of Public Safety at PHA is a civilian, managerial position responsible for leadership, coordinating the administrative and operational functions of the office, and guiding the public safety office team to achieve results. PHA has 19 public safety officers, 9 supervisors and 22 civilian personnel who engage with residents on public safety matters and address their concerns.

In 1989, Clark began his career at the Youngstown Police Department where he was assigned to the Special Investigation Unit as a Vice and Narcotics Officer and the Community Police Unit downtown. He trained officers in identifying and investigating gang activity, often collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Next, he went to U.S. Department of Justice FBI field office in Los Angeles, CA, where he served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge. He managed an annual budget of more than $25 million and led more than 350 agents and task force officers from 10 agencies, focusing on gangs, violent crime, drug cartels and crimes against children. He also has worked as the Senior Superintendent for the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service.

Clark received both his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Youngstown State University. He currently is enrolled at Capital Technology University, in the PhD Cyberpsychology Program.

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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.

Before and after photos show the North Central Choice Neighborhood transformation in Philadelphia. One of PHA’s most recent housing developments, North Central Five (pictured on the right) has won a national Award of Excellence from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for project design. The original Norris Apartments  (pictured on the left) were torn down to make way for the Choice Neighborhood revitalization. The City of Philadelphia, through the Division of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), PHA, Temple University, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM), community residents and other stakeholders have been working together to implement the planned Housing, People, and Neighborhood activities to create a sustainable North Central Philadelphia.

 

Media Contact:
Nichole Tillman, 215-888-2869; [email protected]

(Philadelphia – April 4, 2023) — The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) recently received two NAHRO Awards of Excellence in a national competition among housing and community development organizations. 

 The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) presented 20 prestigious Awards of Excellence to 16 organizations during a ceremony in Washington DC.

NAHRO honored PHA for North Central Five in the project design category. The mixed-income community offers 133 units of housing on a full-block site. The $51.6 million, 152,000 GSF property includes 3 buildings; a multifamily building with 117 units around a lushly landscaped courtyard, and two townhome buildings with 16 units that have large 3 BR units with private outdoor space. All residents have access to a fitness room, community room with kitchenette, computer room and library, an outdoor courtyard and community gardens, as well as on-site management staff, package lockers, and bike storage. It was developed as part of a larger $30 million Choice Neighborhood Grant that sought to strengthen and improve this community.

PHA also received an award in the Resident and Client Services category for the CCP/PHA Shared Housing Program, a partnership that transformed six scattered-site apartments units into dorm-like units for Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) students. Residents in the apartments receive services from both CCP and from PHA. 

The apartments are situated in two renovated rowhomes within walking distance from the College’s Main Campus. They are the first income-based housing managed and maintained by a local housing authority to serve community college students exclusively

In addition to having access to safe, quality, and affordable housing, eligible students selected by CCP enter a stability plan and are paired with a College program coordinator to aid their transition out of shared housing and into a stable, permanent residence.  The housing is within walking distance of CCP’s main campus allowing the residents to participate fully in campus life. CCP students also receive special wraparound support services to ensure that they succeed at the College including: support for students with experience in the foster care system; free assistance with health insurance, food resources, cash and other subsidies; academic advising and academic-related counseling services; and assistance with scholarships and career readiness supports. Students have also received one-time stipends from the Berwind Foundation for household items such as pots and pans, as well as technology needs such as laptops. 

The Awards of Excellence winners were selected by regional juries from an initial pool of 178 Awards of Merit recipients.  Each of the winning programs improves resident outcomes, resolves problems, is replicable by similarly sized organizations and produces tangible results such as cost savings and improved client services.

“NAHRO members provide vital housing and support in their communities, and do so through economic downturns, pandemics and natural disasters, declining federal investment and other challenges,” said NAHRO CEO Mark Thiele. “These 20 programs exemplify their creativity and determination in providing local solutions that others can learn from and replicate, and we’re thrilled to honor their work.” 

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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. 

 

Partnership among City agencies and the federal government reinforces the City’s commitment to expand housing opportunities for vulnerable communities

For immediate release: March 30, 2023

Contact: 
For the City of Philadelphia, [email protected]
For the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Nichole Tillman, [email protected]

Philadelphia – Philadelphia announced today that it will receive $630,977 in federal funding from a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. The award comes from the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative. The program invests in local, cross-system collaborative efforts to assist young people aging out of foster care and who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Office of Homeless Services (OHS) will work in partnership to administer the program. The funding will provide 50 housing vouchers, available in late spring. The vouchers will cover a maximum of 36 months of rental assistance.

Additionally, youth will be connected to services to support their path to self-sufficiency through community-based organization, Methodist Services. This includes mental and behavioral health services, money management, job preparation, and educational counseling. Supportive housing services include landlord outreach, pre- and post-move counseling, and lease compliance.

All eligible applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• have lived experience in the child welfare system at 16 or older.
• left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days.
• between the ages of 18-24.
• homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Advocates and providers that work with young adults who meet the criteria can make referrals by emailing the youth’s name, DHS Number, and contact information to [email protected]. Any eligible youth on PHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List will be assisted in order of their position on the waiting list.

Statements:

PHA President & CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah

Decent housing is the framework for building success in life. Safe and stable housing put foster youth on more equal footing as they enter the workforce and enroll in college and career training programs. PHA is working on various fronts to provide housing assistance, shared housing, vouchers, and other innovative options for this population.

DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali

Too many young people who were placed in foster care, later experience homelessness, and this must stop! Securing stable housing can be an obstacle for them. Therefore, we welcome this opportunity to work together to help these young adults find a place to call home, and to eliminate barriers that hinder their pursuit of college and career opportunities as they transition to adulthood and independent life. With this joint effort, these vulnerable young people can focus on their goals and dreams without worrying about where they are going to lay their heads at night.

OHS Director Liz Hersh

We never want a young adult to age out of foster care into homelessness. These vouchers and our continued collaboration with PHA and DHS will help improve the lives of Philly youth who are at risk of homelessness.