2019

(Philadelphia, PA – December 18, 2019) – The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) today celebrated the opening of the latest phase of the Sharswood Transformation Plan known as the Blumberg 83, reflecting the number of factory-built homes on the site near 23rd & Jefferson Streets.

“These new homes are attractive, energy efficient, and cost effective. They were built in a quality controlled environment before shipment here, ensuring that precise specifications were met,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah. “PHA wants the very finest product possible as we continue to work to transform Sharswood into a neighborhood of choice.”

Blumberg 83 features sustainable design elements guided by two green rating programs; Enterprise Green Communities and Energy Star Certified Homes. The modular manufacturing process significantly reduces the amount of construction waste and energy use.

“It is heartening to see PHA continuing to progress in rebuilding the Sharswood community,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “I am thrilled to see the opening of this latest phase of the Sharswood Blumberg transformation plan, and right on schedule.  Congratulations to everyone on the PHA team and to the residents who will be living in these beautiful homes. I look forward to returning to celebrate the opening of still more affordable housing developments in this community.”

“Philadelphia, like many American communities, needs more efficient, affordable housing and I am glad to see that these units are beginning to open up,” said City Council President Darrell Clarke. “I am firmly committed to working with PHA to see that our neediest residents have housing in a safe, clean place to live in walkable neighborhoods.”
The Blumberg 83 Apartments consist of 83 new rental units spread across a mix of townhomes and multi-unit walk-up buildings. They are part of PHA’s Blumberg/Sharswood Transformation Plan and a key component of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative planning grant awarded by HUD in 2013.

(Philadelphia, PA – December 30, 2019) – As 2019 comes to a close, the staff and employees of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) can take pride in a year of tremendous achievements.

“The agency made substantial progress in real estate development, notably in fulfilling the latest phases of the Sharswood Transformation plan, in reconfiguring its scattered sites portfolio, and service to both young and old residents,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah. He also noted that PHA developments once again were honored by their peers.

PHA recently capped off 2019 with a grand opening for the first factory-built homes in Sharswood, the Blumberg 83 development, one week before Christmas. These beautiful, new sustainable, cost-efficient homes represent the ongoing progress in rebuilding a long neglected neighborhood in North Philadelphia. At the beginning of the year, the housing authority celebrated the completion of its new headquarters building, also in Sharswood, at 2013 Ridge Avenue in late January. This new edifice serves as an anchor along the Ridge Avenue commercial corridor and is a landmark and beacon in which residents can take pride.

Two months later, PHA celebrated the rehabilitation of Sharswood Tower, a senior residence, and the only high rise still standing from the former Blumberg development.  The tower is the tallest building around for one mile and has become a landmark for the area.

PHA successfully auctioned 144 long term vacant scattered site properties in June as it reconfigured and right-sized its scattered sites portfolio. The sales generated $8.4 million to be channeled toward building modern, new affordable housing while putting the vacant properties back on the tax rolls.

The housing authority made the decision in October to redevelop the West Park Apartments complex by selling part of the site while redeveloping the rest with modern, low-rise housing. PHA will rehabilitate one high-rise for seniors, similar to what was done in Sharswood. The plan is to reconnect the site to the rest of the neighborhood while maintaining affordable housing units in a community with a hot real estate market. The sale will also generate much needed revenue for redevelopment and avoid costly repairs that would take PHA years to complete, yet still not bring them up to modern standards.