PHA Commits 240 Properties for New Affordable Housing

Community nonprofits will acquire the land and develop permanent,
affordable housing in Eastern North Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – As new market-rate development continues to span across Eastern North Philadelphia neighborhoods, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is committing 240 properties, which includes vacant structures and lots to several community nonprofits to develop new permanent, affordable housing. This major initiative has been in the works for years.

PHA’s proposal to transfer the parcels is through an initiative led by Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones Sánchez (7th Council District) and CEIBA, a non-profit organization that serves Philadelphia’s Latino community. Through this partnership, the vacant properties will be transferred to several local community service providers that will develop the parcels into new affordable housing, while at the same time addressing neighborhood blight and housing affordability in rapidly gentrifying communities. Partners in this initiative includes HACE, Esperanza, the Norris Square Community Alliance and Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM).

“The city’s affordable housing crisis requires an absolute commitment from partners who are in the business of creating affordable housing,” said PHA’s President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah. “We work with like-minded organizations to leverage resources and invest in building new affordable housing units in communities that are becoming unaffordable. Our community and elected stakeholders help us bring these plans to fruition and achieve impactful results for the entire city. These efforts will help balance the increasing volume of market rate development in these neighborhoods and ensure that the properties will be available for future affordable development. I’d like thank Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones Sánchez and our 7th District partners for their leadership and collaboration on this important initiative.”