Philadelphia Housing Authority

A 126-year-old vacant school in Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia, will be converted into 50 subsidized senior housing units for low-income older adults. The project, led by HELP Development Corp in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, will use Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to ensure affordability for at least 40 years.

Philadelphia and surrounding areas are recovering from severe microburst storms that caused widespread damage, including downed trees, power lines, and structural damage. A building collapse in West Philadelphia resulted in cars being crushed and trolley tracks blocked, while the National Weather Service confirmed straight-line winds, not tornadoes, were responsible. Mayor Cherelle Parker declared a disaster emergency, and recovery efforts are underway.

Philadelphia Housing Authority plans to demolish Bartram Village in July as part of a $425M project to build over 500 affordable rental units. The initiative aims to expand the agency's real estate portfolio, with PHA President Kelvin Jeremiah highlighting the goal of creating desirable homes for all income levels. Mayor Cherelle Parker's public safety emergency declaration allowed the project to bypass delays from federal historic review.

The Trump administration's budget proposal seeks to cap public housing units, potentially forcing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to scale back its plan to add thousands of deeply affordable rentals. The proposal would reset housing authorities' 'Faircloth limits' and set a 2027 deadline, conflicting with PHA's eight-year Opening Doors initiative to replace lost units and modernize aging housing stock.