Claudia Sherrod Executive Director of South Philadelphia HOMES breaking ground with VIPs
Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Council President Anna Verna and State Representative Kenyatta Johnson joined Community Ventures and South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. to celebrate the groundbreaking of 11 new construction homes at 17th and Federal Streets in the Point Breeze neighborhood of South Philadelphia. This development will create affordable home ownership opportunities on two currently vacant sites.
“The city is committed to preserving affordable housing options. All of our neighbors deserve the opportunity to have a safe, quality place to call home. This commitment is certainly evident in Point Breeze,” said Mayor Nutter. “This development demonstrates the positive impact stimulus dollars have on strengthening neighborhoods by creating jobs, boosting the local economy and eliminating blight.” The homes at 17th and Federal Streets complement other city efforts to preserve affordability in the Point Breeze neighborhood.
Over the past 20 years, more than 500 units of affordable home ownership, rental, senior and special needs housing have been produced, either through new construction or rehabilitation, in Point Breeze. Using Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), this development will provide local construction jobs, strengthening the local economy. Point Breeze was one of only three neighborhoods in city to be targeted for affordable housing development under NSP.
Council President Verna said, “This development is significant because it helps provide affordable home ownership options for residents of Point Breeze. I am proud to be here to celebrate this milestone.”
State Representative Johnson said, “Blight prevention and elimination and providing safe, quality housing options are essential in strengthening our community – this development clearly complements these goals.”
Eight homes will be available to families earning less than $50,000 a year. Two homes are accessible for persons with physical disabilities and purchasing priority will be given to qualified current Point Breeze residents. All homes have off-street parking, central air, bamboo floors and are energy-efficient. The City of Philadelphia provided $1.895 million in NSP funds to finance the development and donated the land where the homes will be built. The remainder of $3.8 million development budget will be funded by the sale of the homes. Claudia S. Sherrod, executive director of South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S., said, “I am proud to be a part of this development, which will bring new affordable housing options to Point Breeze.” Steve Kaufman, executive director of Community Ventures, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of providing important affordable home ownership options in this vibrant and growing neighborhood. I thank all the partners involved for making this development possible, including the neighbors, our elected officials, South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. and the City of Philadelphia.”
