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Housing Authority To Use $90M Stimulus To Upgrade City Properties
By JOHN P. CONNOLLY, The Bulletin
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) announced a plan to upgrade and renovate 300 houses and apartments yesterday; the projects will be funded with $90 million awarded to the organization as part of the federal stimulus package.
PHA plans to use the stimulus money to renovate residencies in need of maintenance, and upgrade the energy efficiency of others. Work will begin immediately on the properties that are scattered throughout the city.
“This project will have two immediate benefits, the most obvious being 300 homes for low-income families who will pay rents based on their income,” said PHA Executive Director Carl Greene. “The other benefit is that the improvements to these homes will upgrade the quality and property values of entire blocks.”
Cost of the renovations are estimated to average around $100,000 per house or apartment and will include installation of energy efficient heaters, water heaters, windows, doors and insulation, as well as including Energy Star appliances and in certain instances, new roofing.
PHA has hired Hunter Roberts Construction Company to manage the 24-month project, and will work closely with the city’s building trade unions.
Other projects that will use the stimulus money include the rebuilding of the Plymouth Hall Senior Building at 22nd and Tioga streets and the building of 25 two-story quad-plexes for disabled citizens.
The Plymouth Hall Senior Building has been vacant since it was destroyed by fire in 2004. PHA plans to rebuild the structure sing a portion of the federal stimulus money. The previous building featured 72 units, but will be converted to house 53 modern apartments.
PHA will also totally renovate or build new 23 homes on Markoe Street in West Philadelphia, upgrade the sprinkler standpipes in 18 high-rise buildings and upgrade energy systems at 31 of its buildings.
The authority plans to solicit bids for all the stimulus projects within 120 days.
“PHA is using the stimulus funding exactly as intended,” said Mr. Greene. “We are putting people to work making the kinds of improvements to our inventory that will create high-quality, energy-efficient housing for the long term. To PHA, the stimulus is more than just a payment; it’s an opportunity to accelerate the changes already underway in our program to dramatically decrease energy consumption.”
In addition to the stimulus funds, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that PHA will receive $718,000 in grant money to provide education and job training for public housing residents. The program also includes employment services and homeownership counseling available in the local community to promote self-sufficiency.
“These grants help families on their way to economic independence,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Regional Director Brenda Laroche. “Whether it’s taking classes to get a better job or learning what it takes to become a homeowner, these grants help public housing residents achieve their personal and career goals.”
The funding program grant for PHA is part of $27,960,860 awarded nationally, and is the largest portion of the $2.8 million that went to housing authorities around Pennsylvania.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
PHA plans to use the stimulus money to renovate residencies in need of maintenance, and upgrade the energy efficiency of others. Work will begin immediately on the properties that are scattered throughout the city.
“This project will have two immediate benefits, the most obvious being 300 homes for low-income families who will pay rents based on their income,” said PHA Executive Director Carl Greene. “The other benefit is that the improvements to these homes will upgrade the quality and property values of entire blocks.”
Cost of the renovations are estimated to average around $100,000 per house or apartment and will include installation of energy efficient heaters, water heaters, windows, doors and insulation, as well as including Energy Star appliances and in certain instances, new roofing.
PHA has hired Hunter Roberts Construction Company to manage the 24-month project, and will work closely with the city’s building trade unions.
Other projects that will use the stimulus money include the rebuilding of the Plymouth Hall Senior Building at 22nd and Tioga streets and the building of 25 two-story quad-plexes for disabled citizens.
The Plymouth Hall Senior Building has been vacant since it was destroyed by fire in 2004. PHA plans to rebuild the structure sing a portion of the federal stimulus money. The previous building featured 72 units, but will be converted to house 53 modern apartments.
PHA will also totally renovate or build new 23 homes on Markoe Street in West Philadelphia, upgrade the sprinkler standpipes in 18 high-rise buildings and upgrade energy systems at 31 of its buildings.
The authority plans to solicit bids for all the stimulus projects within 120 days.
“PHA is using the stimulus funding exactly as intended,” said Mr. Greene. “We are putting people to work making the kinds of improvements to our inventory that will create high-quality, energy-efficient housing for the long term. To PHA, the stimulus is more than just a payment; it’s an opportunity to accelerate the changes already underway in our program to dramatically decrease energy consumption.”
In addition to the stimulus funds, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that PHA will receive $718,000 in grant money to provide education and job training for public housing residents. The program also includes employment services and homeownership counseling available in the local community to promote self-sufficiency.
“These grants help families on their way to economic independence,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Regional Director Brenda Laroche. “Whether it’s taking classes to get a better job or learning what it takes to become a homeowner, these grants help public housing residents achieve their personal and career goals.”
The funding program grant for PHA is part of $27,960,860 awarded nationally, and is the largest portion of the $2.8 million that went to housing authorities around Pennsylvania.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
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