HUD Awards PHA and the City of Philadelphia a $30 Million Grant to Revitalize Sharswood Neighborhood
(Philadelphia – April 23, 2020)—In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia has received some good news. The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has won a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative implementation grant for the Sharswood Transformation Plan. The money will be used to leverage more financing as the authority rebuilds and invigorates the Sharswood/Blumberg neighborhood.
“This is great news for Philadelphia during these challenging times. I would like to thank HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, Senator Bob Casey, Senator Pat Toomey, Congressman Dwight Evans, Mayor Jim Kenney, Council President Clarke, all of our partners and the Sharswood/Blumberg community for their support during this process,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “The $30 million grant will leverage well over $200 million of investment. This essentially guarantees the work that started nearly 4 years ago will be completed, with the full support of our federal, state and local partners. I also want to specifically thank the Sharswood/Blumberg community that has been patiently waiting for the transformation. Thanks to the grant, their wait is over!”
PHA has already completed 151 units in the neighborhood with tax credit funding, its own money, and other sources. Construction of the 83 modular units is now complete under the Sharswood Transformation Plan which calls for a total of 1,200 units, plus the redevelopment of the Ridge Avenue commercial corridor.
“I want to thank HUD and all of our partners for choosing Philadelphia and investing in Sharswood,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “In light of the pandemic and the economic challenges we’re sure to face in the months ahead, providing more affordable housing will be more critical than ever. We must build and preserve homes, amenities, and services for those in need, and make certain that diverse communities and low-income residents benefit from neighborhood development. We are thrilled that we will be able to realize these goals through the Sharswood/Blumberg Transformation Plan.”
