PHA Is Recognized By NAHRO for its Remote Learning Centers for Students, Administrative strategies and Housing Designs
(Philadelphia, PA – July 15, 2021) – The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has won four Awards of Merit recognizing achievement and innovation from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
The Authority earned a record number of awards this year as it adapted its operations and added new services to support residents and the City during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two of PHA’s newest housing developments, Blumberg 83 and North Central Phase 3 –won Awards of Merit in the housing design category. Blumberg 83, which used modular
construction, enabled PHA to build units more quickly and meet the City’s growing demand for affordable housing. Blumberg’s construction started in May, 2019; the first occupants moved in Jan. 2020. Blumberg 83 consists of 83 energy-efficient rental apartments spread across a mix of townhomes and multi-unit walk-up buildings in harswood.
The remote learning centers, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi access and desks for students in select PHA developments, and the strategy created by the maintenance team to address cleaning and the backlog of work orders during the pandemic – were recognized in the categories of resident services and administrative innovations respectively.
Since returning to full duty after the lockdown, the PHA maintenance team has reduced open service orders from over 17,000 to under 5,100 in February, when the nominations were submitted.
The NAHRO Agency Awards Program is a two-tiered program consisting of the Awards of Merit and the Awards of Excellence. The first tier of the program, the Awards of Merit, are submitted to National NAHRO and sent to Regional Juries for review. The second tier of the program, the Awards of Excellence, are nominated by the Regional Juries from the Awards of Merit winners and sent to National Juries for final selection. Up to 24 Awards of Excellence may be presented in a given year.
“Though the pandemic affected how and where we worked. PHA was able to modify operations so we could continue to serve the city’s most vulnerable during this tragedy,” Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President & CEO PHA said. “We reimagined the work process and reconsidered what residents needed most from us. It made us a stronger organization.”
