Springfield, PA – July 16, 2019 – Senator Tim Kearny (D-Delaware, Chester) today announced the award of over $4 million in state funding for affordable housing programs in Delaware County.
“Everyone should have a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home,” Kearney said. “Through this funding, that goal is becoming a reality for the people of Delaware County. These projects will support and strengthen our communities through new housing construction, help purchasing a home, rental assistance, and more.”
Projects approved for funding include:
- $2,681,252 for Kinder Park Redevelopment in Woodlyn. Approaching its final phase of redevelopment, this project will create a six-story building with 38 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit, including eight units with HUD Project Based Section 8 rental assistance, 31 units with an ACC subsidy, and four accessible units.
- $1,218,257 for Alician Senior Apartments in Upper Darby. This project will provide for new construction and rehabilitation of a five-story mid-rise building for people age 62 and older, with 50 one-bedroom units and six accessible units.
- $125,000 for the First Time Home Buyer Program in Upper Darby. Run by the Upper Darby Township Office of Community Development, this program offers grants of up to $6,000 to eligible families and individuals toward closing costs on a new home.
- $100,000 for Community Action Agency of Delaware County’s Rental Assistance Program. This program provides rental assistance to prevent homelessness and ensure safe, affordable housing for Delaware County residents.
Particularly noteworthy among these projects is Kinder Park, the Delaware County Housing Authority’s flagship redevelopment project. The homes at Kinder Park originally began as housing for defense plant workers during World War II. The site since became affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities, but lacked modern features and amenities. With the help of federal, state, and local funding, Pennrose Properties and DCHA began redevelopment in 2014. In addition to new rental units, the project has included a new community building and a renovated management building.
The funding for these projects is provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE).
###