Helping Philly’s Elders Age With Dignity and Grace: Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA, and a host of dignitaries worked together to finalize PHA’s $24 million deal to buy Brith Sholom House. Once a cherished landmark, the apartment building had fallen into disrepair and was facing a sheriff’s sale. At a celebration on September 4, 2024,  members of the Brith Sholom Tenant Council joined elected officials in celebrating a ground-breaking victory which brought federal, state, local officials together in an effort  to preserve the building as affordable housing. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city will put $8 million into building improvements.

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PHA CLOSES ON THE PURCHASE OF A MID-RISE FOR SENIORS

Acquisition is part of PHA’s pledge to preserve and save Philadelphia’s aging, affordable housing stock.

“I’ve got you, homie,” PHA president Kelvin A. Jeremiah told a Brith Sholom tenant who pleaded for PHA’s help last May.

PHA CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah

(Philadelphia, PA – September 4, 2024) – The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) announced today that it has completed its deal to buy Brith Sholom House, a 12-story dilapidated senior housing complex in Wynnefield Heights community.

“We are excited to officially inform the building’s remaining tenants that PHA is the new owner of the Brith Sholom House, and soon the nightmare they have faced for years will be over,” PHA CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah said. “This purchase is part of PHA’s ongoing commitment to preserve, protect, and save aging affordable housing sites across our city.”

As a result, approximately 100 tenants will now have a more secure future as PHA has pledged to improve and maintain the 356 affordable housing units at the site. The deal between PHA and the mortgage holder, New World Commercial Credit, concludes years of neglect and dysfunction at the property.

Brith Sholom tenants approached PHA at a Board meeting last May asking that the housing authority step in by buying Brith Sholom House. In August, the PHA Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the building for an amount not to exceed $24 million.

Jeremiah continued, “The sale price breaks down to approximately $67,000 a unit, for a building that’s in a prime location. We rescued a neighborhood landmark and acquired new units in a high-opportunity neighborhood. Research clearly shows that individuals living in neighborhoods with higher levels of social capital are happier and healthier, find better jobs, and live longer.”

Jeremiah thanked Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, whose administration committed to providing $8 million toward the renovations. “Mayor Parker’s commitment to this effort demonstrates that safe and affordable housing is a major priority for her administration,” said Jeremiah.

Mayor Parker said Philadelphia managed to rescue this historically significant building, and offer tenants the promise of a better life, because PHA and other public and private partners – including the city, state and federal governments – worked to resolve each obstacle as it arose.

“I want to thank PHA for its strong leadership, and for its steadfast commitment to identify ways to preserve and grow its affordable housing portfolio,” she said. “To reach our goal of making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest city, public and private partners must invoke the ‘power of we’ and preserve and protect the City’s rapidly aging housing stock. We can’t afford to wait.”

In May, a group of tenants attended PHA’s Board of Commissioners meeting to plea for help, as code violations, unsafe living conditions, and building system challenges were forcing the seniors to move out of Brith Sholom and find other housing.

“I could be homeless and survive, but a lot of my neighbors are not going to survive in the shelter,” one resident, Steve Kohalmi, said at the meeting. “So, I don’t know what you folks can do. They tell me you might be able to buy the property?”

Jeremiah explained that PHA already had begun working with the City to identify ways to help residents, and it already had put out feelers regarding the purchase of the building. “I’ve got you homie,” Jeremiah assured him.

“It fills me with joy to see resident advocates working hand-in-hand with local leaders to seize the opportunity to preserve affordable housing and the legacy of charity embodied by Brith Sholom House,” said Richard J. Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “We are grateful to the Philadelphia Housing Authority for stepping up to purchase and maintain this historic 12-story senior residential building and we applaud the City of Philadelphia for contributing to the necessary rehabilitation work.”

“This announcement lets our neighbors know that we are working hard to improve and expand the stock of affordable housing in our neighborhoods,” said State Sen. Vincent Hughes. “It also lets those in our community who face special challenges know that we are listening to them. The residents of Brith Sholom who remained and stood up for their neighbors deserve credit for this success.”

PHA’s focus over the coming months will be to perform a detailed physical needs assessment, then bring the dilapidated 360-unit apartment building up to code and embark on renovations. PHA’s goal will be to minimize any disruptions to current residents. A timeline for the work will not be known until the assessment is complete.

“Government works best when we work together,” said Councilman Curtis Jones (4^th District).  “The Parker Administration, PHA and Philadelphia City Council stood ten toes down on behalf of the residents of the Brith Sholom House. This effort started in 2010, as a result of power failures, numerous License & Inspection violations and ended with PHA coming to the rescue.”

“This acquisition is the result of the tireless advocacy of Brith Sholom House residents and the responsiveness of a government that did what government should do: listen and take action to protect its citizens,” said Madison Gray, attorney and Independence Fellow at the Public Interest Law Center. “With this acquisition, our public officials have set forth a bold, forward-thinking model for how we can preserve affordable housing for the people who live in it today, and for the people who will live in it in the future.”

PHA will immediately work to ensure the safety of residents at Brith Sholom. A guard will be on duty 24/7, and a property manager will be on site during business hours, Monday to Friday. Brith Sholom residents facing maintenance issues should call 215-684-8920 during business hours. Brith Sholom residents facing safety and emergency maintenance issues should call 215-684-1911 outside of normal business hours.

Added Jeremiah, “PHA is going to transform a public eyesore into a place where seniors can age in place. Additionally, it will deliver meaningful supportive services to ensure these residents can lead full and satisfying lives. Our mission is simple: We strengthen people who then strengthen Philly’s neighborhoods.”

Brith Sholom House in West Philadelphia dates to 1905, when the Independent Order Brith Sholom, a Jewish fraternal organization, was founded. The organization’s charitable efforts included the construction of Brith Sholom House at 3939 Conshohocken Ave. in 1955.

The proceeds from the sale will be used to cover settlement agreements with lienholders.

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About the Philadelphia Housing Authority: 

The Philadelphia Housing Authority’s mission is to open doors to affordable housing, economic, opportunity, and safe sustainable communities to benefit Philadelphia residents with low incomes. To learn more visit www.pha.phila.gov.