PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Mission First Housing Group hosted the Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Mid City Apartments, a 53-apartment affordable housing community for formerly homeless individuals and families in Center City Philadelphia at 2025 Chestnut Street.

Notable speakers at the event included Philadelphia Councilmember Jeffrey Young; Mark Dodds, Deputy Director for Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development; Roberta Cancellier, Deputy Director for Housing Services for the City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services; Nakia Parker, Manager of Eastern Region for Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Jordan Bishop, Executive Director, Community Development Banking for JPMorganChase. Attendees also included residents of Mid City Apartments and project partners.

“Mid City Apartments was last renovated well over 25 years ago and the recapitalization and renovations extend the life of the property,” said Thomas Queenan, President and CEO of Mission First Housing Group. “It was important to us to have this unique property in Center City Philadelphia remain affordable for individuals and families coming from homelessness and shelters so that they had stable place to call home.”

Mid City Apartments is a key part of the City of Philadelphia’s continuum of care for homeless individuals and families with direct referrals from the Office of Homeless Services. Mission First has committed to continue that support by designating 100% of the new units to be leased via referrals from the City’s permanent supportive housing referral process. The residents are extremely low-income with 75% having incomes below 20% of area median income. To meet their needs, Mission First obtained a rent support contract for 48 of the 53 through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.

“Preserving existing housing developments is one of the most efficient and effective ways to ensure quality affordable housing is available for those who need it most,” said PHFA CEO and Executive Director Robin Wiessmann, who was unable to attend in person. “PHFA is proud to provide financial support to Mission First to ensure Mid-City Apartments remains a viable, affordable community for Philadelphians for years to come.”

Mission First Housing Group renovated Mid City Apartments by converting 48 Single Room Occupancies into 41 efficiencies, each apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom; it preserved all 12 existing one-bedroom apartments. All apartments received new flooring, appliances, light fixtures, doors and kitchen and bathroom fixtures and finishes. A new roof and windows as well as new hot water heaters and HVAC systems were installed. Common areas received new finishes, lighting and cabinetry. The sprinkler, fire pump and fire alarm systems and much of the electrical system were also replaced.

Mid City Apartments has a unique structure for resident support. Alongside the full-time property management team at Mid City Apartments, Mission First offers a blend of internal resident services on-site for individuals and families and the extended support of local social services partner Horizon House. This provides wraparound support to facilitate the residents’ journeys to self-sufficiency.

The project was financed through the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Housing and Community Development, FHLB New York funds, Capital Magnet Funds and PHFA PHARE Funds. R4 Capital is the investor and JPMorganChase provided construction/bridge financing.

The recapitalization of Mid City Apartments extends the life of the property, maintains its deep affordability and provides safe, stable, attractive housing for its formerly homeless residents.

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About Mission First Housing Group

Mission First Housing Group develops and manages affordable, safe and sustainable homes for people in need, with a non-profit, mission-driven focus on the most vulnerable. Mission First currently provides affordable housing and services to more than 6,000 people in nearly 4,000 apartments, serving populations in need, such as veterans, survivors of domestic violence, seniors and the disabled. www.missionfirsthousing.org