KENSINGTON (KYW Newsradio) — Adrianne Todman, acting U.S. Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development was joined in Kensington on Wednesday by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and other officials to announce a $3.3 million grant to the city to help build more affordable housing.
“To make sure that we are removing barriers to building housing, removing barriers to fixing housing, something I know is important here in Philadelphia,” said Todman outside Janney Senior Apartments, a new affordable housing complex for seniors that’s soon-to-be open.
In total, Todman announced $85 million of HUD funding that was spread among 21 cities.
Parker said the money from the grant would help her plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing during her term.
“We have a challenge with affordable housing and this is a good opportunity to bring some much needed resources to tackle an issue that we haven’t done in a comprehensive way,” she said.
The grants were highly competitive, and HUD received a total of 175 applications. Philadelphia’s request was initially for $8 million, but Parker said she had faith that more funding will be available as her plan progresses.
“I’m excited about it. We have a lot of good tools, partnership with the federal government and I’m just ready to make it happen,” she said.
Parker also added that since she took office in January, the city has received $613 million from the Biden Administration.
“If I use what’s happened since I arrived as any measuring tool, they will do what they have done for us and that is deliver for Philadelphia,” she said.
As for more information on her 30,000 units of affordable housing plan, the mayor said it’s still being designed and more will be unveiled in the fall.