Media Contact For PHA:
Nichole Tillman, 215-888-2869
nichole.tillman@pha.phila.gov
Agreement clears the way to
begin construction of new supermarket in Sharswood
(Philadelphia - October 5, 2020) - The
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and OccupyPHA have reached an
amicable resolution involving the Ridge Avenue encampment known as
"Camp Teddy," the encampment located across the street from PHA's
headquarters.
"I want to thank all of those whose hard work and good faith
negotiating resulted in this resolution," said Mayor Kenney. "As I
have said from the start, the issues raised by the camp leaders --
homelessness and the lack of affordable housing - are deep rooted
and urgent. We hope this agreement will lead to a resolution of the
separate protest camp on the Parkway. And we hope it will lead to
new impetus among all partners to solve these vexing problems."
"I would like to thank Ms. Bennetch and the other encampment
leaders for highlighting the urgent need for long-term permanent
housing and the need for more resources to address homelessness. I
have always said that there is an affordable housing crisis in
Philadelphia and that PHA is willing to do its part to help solve
this problem, but we cannot do it alone. There needs to be true
collaboration of resources and ideas to meaningfully address this
problem," said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, PHA's President and CEO. "I
would also like to thank Ryan N. Boyer and Building and
Construction Trades Council for being a true partner not only by
words but by actions. It is also important that we address the
older housing stock that has not been maintained due to the
insufficient federal funding. And finally, I would like to thank
the Sharswood Community for their support and patience during these
challenging times. With zoning, building permits and financing in
hand, your grocery store is on its way as promised."
The agreement, completed after nearly four months of
negotiations, resulted in the residents of Camp Teddy voluntarily
vacating the encampment site on October 5th. Importantly, the
accord will clear the way for the now delayed construction program
to begin on a mixed-use development, including a supermarket for
the Sharswood neighborhood, long sought by the community, along
with 98 units of housing, a bank, an urgent care center and other
retail businesses.
The agreement ensures residents of Camp Teddy can opt-in to
social services from Project HOME and/or the City of Philadelphia
and be given a pathway to permanent affordable housing. This
innovative solution demonstrates what can happen when organizations
put their differences aside and collaborate on a common goal.
PHA has created an unprecedented pilot program called "Working
for Home Repair Training Program" with the Building and
Construction Trades Council (BCTC). The program will create housing
and job opportunities for those experiencing homelessness through
the renovation of long-term vacant structures, some of which have
been unoccupied for over 20 years. This will allow those without
homes to put in sweat equity alongside union workers to become
invested in their home and the community.
"In late June, OccupyPHA along with residents of the Parkway
Encampment (known as Camp JTD) moved to parcels of land located
across from PHA's Headquarters with the goal of pressuring PHA to
come to the table regarding the housing crisis in Philadelphia and
to discuss uses for long term vacant PHA properties. At times it
seemed like all of our efforts would be in vain, however we were
able to reach an agreement with PHA to create a Community Land
Trust for permanent low income housing with long term vacant PHA
properties that were going to be disposed of. We appreciate PHA's
willingness to explore this idea with us, we look forward to our
new venture and hope that it leads to lasting change," said
Jennifer Bennetch, OccupyPHA Founder.
"We understand the importance of hard work and being invested in
the community you live in. The Work 4 Home pilot program will
change people's lives forever. We look forward to working with PHA
and teaching people how to create better lives for themselves and
their families as well as expanding the program to help generations
to come," said Ryan N. Boyer, President BCTC. "I would also like to
thank Kelvin A. Jeremiah and PHA for including BCTC in this
important initiative and for keeping his commitment to the
Sharswood Community and the $52 million community development
project that will not only bring a supermarket and housing, but
also much needed jobs to the city," Boyer said.
"We applaud President Kelvin A. Jeremiah and the Philadelphia
Housing Authority for reaching an agreement that enables a $52
million mixed-use development that is urgently needed by the North
Philadelphia community to move forward," said Council President
Darrell L. Clarke, whose 5th District includes the site.
"The issues that City Council has spoken about all year - racial
disparities magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of access to
healthy foods, adequate health care and affordable housing - are
all being addressed by this development," Clarke said. "In
addition, the developer of this site is a black-owned firm, who is
committed to employing people from North Philadelphia to build this
site and to work in the businesses that will open there. A
supermarket, a bank for North Philadelphia, affordable housing
units, an urgent care facility - can all now be built, thanks to
this agreement announced by PHA today. This checks all the bases
for what we need in North Philadelphia."
At PHA's virtual board meeting, on October 15th, PHA will ask
the Board for authorization to establish the COVID-19 Homeless
Relief Program. If approved by the Board, PHA will allocate 25
permanent housing opportunities for homeless families who are
referred to PHA by qualified service provider(s). The referral is
critical to ensure the individual will not only receive housing but
also the necessary social service support to sustain their home.
The housing opportunities canbe for public housing units or Housing
Choice Voucher program. PHA will execute a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with an appropriate service provider(s). This
preference will expire on December 31, 2020.
This innovative, creative solution with the encampment leader
meets both PHA's and the encampment's goal of creating pathways to
sustainable permanent affordable housing for the underserved
populations.