Rep. McClinton: $2.0 mil. grant for affordable housing
State Rep. Joanna McClinton, PA House Democratic Majority Leader announced this week a $2 million grant to fund redevelopment efforts at Bartram Village.
The funding will support a mixed-income, high-quality housing project at the Lindbergh Blvd location.
According to a release from her office, Clinton said the funding is supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. It was awarded to Pennrose PHL LLC, which will redevelop Bartram Village into high-quality, mixed-income housing.
“Neighbors deserve affordable housing that is safe, thriving, and accessible. These renovations will offer this without putting a financial strain on our working-class families,” McClinton said. “My office will continue to support funding of this nature in the future.”
Renovations will include the creation of eight one-bedroom units; 31 two-bedroom units; 23 three-bedroom units, and two four-bedroom units. McClinton said the renovations also will include new community space, parks, and additional recreational areas.
Bartram Village was constructed in 1942 for families of defense workers during WWII. Like much of Southwest, the Village went through a difficult transition of White flight in the 1960s and became largely an African American enclave.
These residents have benefitted from the presence of historic Bartram’s Garden next door, with its nature trails. fishing and boating, an urban farm, and outdoor cultural and educational programs.
Bartram Village was rated in 2015 as one of the top-ten most dangerous housing developments in Pennsylvania because of gang activity.
Now, the 70-year-old housing lacks the amenities, layout, unit space, and energy efficiency needed in a 21st Century housing development.
In 1918, The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) won a Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toward the eventual redevelopment of Bartram Village and the surrounding Southwest neighborhood. That $1.3 million award covered both planning and action.
“We look forward to working with the residents and stakeholders of Bartram Village and the Kingsessing community in this multi-year planning process,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah at that time. “We’ll move thoughtfully, consulting residents, stakeholders, and local leaders as any redevelopment plans are drawn and proposed.”
Said Mayor Jim Kenney, “The planning process is the first step to rebuilding one of the city’s oldest public housing sites as well as the neighborhood around it.
(Information for this article was also taken from a PHA release by Anna Merrimanu Updated Mar 14, 2018)
