New Development ensures affordability in a desirable neighborhood

(Philadelphia, PA - April 13, 2018)- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) today celebrated the completion of the Strawberry Mansion Apartments, a 55-home development in a section of North Philadelphia currently experiencing a major change as a result of private investment and other capital improvements.

The property covers three blocks in 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. The affordable apartments and houses will complement the revitalization of the community, helping to ensure that quality housing remains available for lower-income residents.

"We are thrilled to see this long-awaited development come to fruition," said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. "These homes are in an ideal location next to Fairmount Park. We believe that this will prompt more people to consider buying homes in the neighborhood. Current residents will appreciate the brighter look of the community.  PHA has worked closely with area residents to make Strawberry Mansion Apartments a reality."

"I want to congratulate PHA, Council President Clarke and the residents of this community on working together to create this development," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "Strawberry Mansion is on its way back, and I believe these new homes can serve as a catalyst to attract more private investment into this neighborhood." 

"Everybody deserves quality, affordable housing with amenities such as reliable and convenient transportation options. The Strawberry Mansion Apartments mark the progress Philadelphia continues to make toward enhancing diversity and quality of life in our neighborhoods," Council President Darrell L. Clarke said. "I am grateful, as always, for our partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and for the innovative, compassionate leadership of Kelvin Jeremiah."

The development includes 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. Six of the 55 units are fully handicap accessible and 38 units have 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 include trees, lighting, curbs, and sidewalks.

The new homes 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 making neighborhood upgrades and in the homes themselves. Thirteen million of those dollars came from private investors via the sale of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The balance of funding came from public housing funds plus 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 in other neighborhoods who were also awarded tax credits this year. This financial backing reflects PHA's philosophy of encouraging other organizations in the development of quality housing for low-income seniors, disabled citizens and families.