PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Housing Authority broke ground on its first Center City housing development on Friday.
“This is a historic day for PHA, and I would argue, in fact, for Philadelphia,” said PHA President Kelvin Jeremiah.
Jeremiah said PHA was overdue for public housing in neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Square.
“For too long, Center City has been out of reach for low-income families. Today, here on Chestnut Street, we're changing that, and we're proud to be doing that.”
Fourteen floors of apartments are set to rise at 2012 Chestnut Street, with space for 121 modern apartments. About 73 apartments will be reserved for working families.
It’s a collaboration between PHA and Alterra Property Group. City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said he watched the project come together from beginning to end.
“I'm proud of the work that we do when it comes to addressing housing inequality. Here in our great city, making sure that any person, any family has an opportunity to have access to high-quality housing regardless of their checkbook and/or their zip code.”
Sen. Nikil Saval, who represents the area, said the development should serve as a model for future housing solutions across the area.
“By prioritizing homes that people can afford here in Center City, we are expanding access to transit, to schools, to jobs, and to local commerce.”
The apartment building is set to open in 2028.
It will be a mixed-income community, with about 73 apartments reserved for working families
It will be a mixed-income community, with about 73 apartments reserved for working families
