2023

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.

 

 

Shovels Up in Sharswood: With Spring comes more housing development in Sharswood as The Michaels Organization, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), broke ground on a new development this week and announced plans to renovate existing townhouses. From left are: From left are Jannie Blackwell, Milton Pratt Jr., Michaels Organization Executive Vice President of Development; PHA President and CEO Kelvin A Jeremiah; Michaels Organization CEO John O’Donnell; John Paone PHFA Board Member, State Rep. Donna Bullock; City Council President Darrell L Clarke; Aissia Richardson; and Michaels Vice President Andrew Davenport.

Michaels Organization and Philadelphia Housing Authority Expand Affordable Housing

Sharswood Townhouses Will Undergo Major Rehabilitation, While a New Affordable Rental Community Will Be Built Nearby

Contacts: 
For The Michaels Organization:

Laura Zaner: [email protected]; 856-988-5083; 856-630-1540

For PHA:

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

Philadelphia, March 22 — The Michaels Organization, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), announced today that it is set to break ground on a new affordable rental housing community in the Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia. At the same time, Michaels is rehabilitating an affordable housing community in Sharswood that it has owned and managed since developing the community 23 years ago.

Both efforts are part of the PHA Sharswood Blumberg Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan.

“We are excited to reinvest in our Sharswood Townhouse community, preserving this critical affordable housing resource for Philadelphia families while creating new affordable housing opportunities in this rapidly changing community,” said Michaels Vice President Andrew Davenport, who is serving as the lead developer on both the renovation as well as the new development. “We are also grateful to the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the Philadelphia Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) for their support in bringing new additional affordable housing to this neighborhood.”

“Sharswood is taking yet another important step forward,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA. “To remain affordable, Philadelphia will need comprehensive plans to repair and renovate existing housing units and communities. This plan preserves affordable housing while adding contemporary units that provide residents seeking to live in Sharswood with desirable housing options. I want to thank Michaels for their commitment to affordable housing and to this community.”

“We’re proud to celebrate and support the rehabilitation of existing affordable homes in the Sharswood, and the construction of dozens of new affordable homes as well,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke, whose 5th Council district includes Sharswood. “With every development, every groundbreaking and ribbon cutting, PHA and all our committed partners, we are reinvesting in a proud, historic neighborhood community in Sharswood in the heart of North Philly. It’s a terrific day.”

Project details: Sharswood Townhouses, located at 1450 N 21st Street in North Philadelphia, was first developed by Michaels in 2000. The community features 71 apartment homes affordable to households earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income. The community will be completely renovated, with major building upgrades for long-term sustainability, as well as interior and exterior improvements. These units will be preserved as affordable housing for the residents for decades to come.

In conjunction with the renovation work, Michaels will develop a new community offering 43 affordable rental units on vacant land next door to Sharswood Townhouses. The new community will offer two- and three-bedroom apartments to be developed across 24 stacked flat and townhome-style buildings. A total of 12 fully accessible units will be created  — four at Sharswood Townhouses and eight in the new community. The new development will also feature a community room, offices for on-site management, and an expanded common laundry facility, which residents of both communities can use.

Construction is expected to be completed in March 2024.

Financing: Completing the rehabilitation and new construction work in one development phase allowed for innovative financing for this $33 million project. The majority of the funding is sourced from federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, allocated by PHFA, which raised more than $13 million in private equity. In addition to the tax credits, PHFA provided $5.8 million in permanent debt and the PHA provided a $3.5 million soft loan. The development also benefits from nearly $6.2 million in funding from the City of Philadelphia.

 

Urban Practice is serving as the Architect and Michaels Construction is serving as the General Contractor. Berkadia syndicated the tax credits. Michaels Management will provide property management services, ensuring that both communities remain long-term neighborhood assets.

About The Michaels Organization:

The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate, offering full service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment management. Serving more than 175,000 residents in more than 450 communities across 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity and to creating Communities That Lift Lives.

About the 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. To learn more visit www.pha.phila.gov.