Number of Units

6

Year Developed

2011

Development Costs

$1,171,700

Goal

Substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing

 

Description

Due to the shortage of accessible and special needs housing in Philadelphia, people with disabilities often end up in nursing homes or struggling with otherwise segregated or unfit living conditions.

 

These six units in Northeast Philadelphia, initially acquired by Mission First in 2004 were badly in need of an update, and thus were the perfect candidates for conversion to accessible/special needs housing. All units provide rent-subsidized housing for individuals with disabilities eligible under HUD Section 811 program. The project development costs (approximately $1.3 million) were funded by a Section 811 Capital Advance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and by an ARRA-Community Development Block Grant through the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia.

 

In accordance with Enterprise Green Communities criteria, all units have individual high-efficiency HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures and extra ceiling insulation. In addition, one unit has been converted to an accessible unit, complete with roll-in shower and an ADA-compliant kitchen, and another unit has been designed to accommodate an individual with a visual and/or hearing impairment. A new ramp offers more convenience and accessibility for those living on the basement level. Six tenants live independently in a beautifully-renovated, rent-subsidized green building.