New Development will ensure
affordability in rapidly improving neighborhood
(Philadelphia, PA - March 31, 2017) - The
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) today broke ground for a new
55-unit development in the historic Strawberry Mansion neighborhood
of North

PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah was joined by
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (center) at groundbreaking
ceremonies for the Strawberry Mansion Apartments.
Also shown are State Sen. Sharif Street (2nd from
left), Council President Darrell Clarke (to the right of Wolf), and
State Rep. Donna Bullock.
The 55-unit development covers an area bounded by 33rd
Street to the West, Arlington Street to the North, 32nd Street to
the East, and Berks Street to the South.
Philadelphia.The aptly named Strawberry Mansion Apartments cover
an area bounded by 33rd Street to the West, Arlington Street to the
North, 32nd Street to the East, and Berks Street to the South.
Although the area has suffered from decades of disinvestment and
distress, it is currently experiencing a major upturn as a result
of private investment and other capital improvements. These new
apartments will complement the ongoing revitalization of the
neighborhood and help ensure that quality housing remains available
for lower-income residents.
"I want to thank Council President Darrell Clarke,
Representative Donna Bullock, and the Philadelphia Housing
Authority for their hard work in shepherding this project from
dream to reality," said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. "This new
housing development - which will provide several different housing
options to the residents and families of Strawberry Mansion - will
help to ensure that there is affordable housing available here, so
that the neighborhood's residents have real choices when looking
for homes where they can build and grow their families."
"We are thrilled to begin this long-awaited development," said
PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah. "These homes will be set in
an ideal location next to Fairmount Park. We believe that as a
result, even more potential homeowners will be attracted to the
neighborhood and existing residents will appreciate an even more
appealing community. PHA has worked closely with Council
President Clarke and the community to make this development a
reality."
"A quality home near attractive amenities like Fairmount Park
should be a dream that's within reach for every Philadelphian,"
said Council President Darrell L. Clarke. "Affordable housing
yields positive economic benefits that aren't confined to four
walls, but extend to the block, the neighborhood, and the
community. I thank Kelvin Jeremiah, his team, and all of our
partners for making the dream of stable, attractive housing a
reality for so many more people in Strawberry Mansion."
The 55 new apartments will comprise one, two, three and
four-bedroom homes, ranging in size from 685 square feet to 1,734
square feet in a mix of walk-up apartments and townhomes. There
will be at least six accessible units, two units for the
hearing/visually impaired, and 38 units with features that at a
minimum accommodate visitors with disabilities such as a zero-step
entrances and ground-floor bathrooms.
The Strawberry Mansion Apartments are designed to conserve
energy. The development will exceed the threshold 2015 Enterprise
Green Communities Criteria, the leading U.S. standard for the
design, construction and operation of healthy, energy efficient and
environmentally responsible affordable housing. Streetscape
improvements will include trees, lighting, curbs, and
sidewalks.
The new homes will have easy access to the Girard Avenue
commercial corridor, educational institutions, such as Temple
University, and transportation, including the recently expanded and
modernized 33rd Street transportation hub. PHA is investing
$23 million in the homes and neighborhood upgrades, of which $13
million will come from private investors via the sale of Low Income
Housing Tax Credits. The balance will come from public housing
funds and private financing through the Rental Assistance
Demonstration Program.
In addition to being awarded tax credits toward developing
Strawberry Mansion Apartments, PHA is financially supporting three
other affordable housing developers who were also awarded tax
credits this year. This reflects PHA's philosophy of encouraging
other organizations in the development of quality housing for
low-income seniors, disabled citizens and families.