“We have to create the city and society that we want to live in.” – Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director of Project HOME
Regional Housing Legal Services celebrated the groundbreaking of 810 Arch Street on Wednesday, September 18th. This 94 unit development, a partnership between Project HOME and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), will offer supportive and affordable rental housing to formerly homeless men and women, individuals living on low incomes, and to young adults at risk of becoming homeless. Attendees included key public and private partners such as Leigh and John Middleton, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency (PHFA), Councilman Mark Squilla, Brian Abernathy representing the City of Philadelphia, and Governor Tom Corbett.
810 Arch will not only provide housing, but will work to enhance the lives of its residents with a large community space, two terraces, a library, an exercise room, and a bike room. The entire 2,158 square foot first floor of the building will be devoted to commercial space, creating additional job opportunities and economic activity for the neighborhood. Representing the City of Philadelphia, Chief of Staff Brian Abernathy praised the project as, “A true story of collaboration.” Describing how increasing neighborhood income diversity and encouraging mixed use developments creates thriving neighborhoods, he dubbed 810 Arch Street an example of “best practice turned into reality.” Governor Corbett also described the project as, “an engine driving economic opportunity and growth.”
Regional Housing Legal Services provided assistance to Project HOME and the PCDC as a trusted partner. Mark Levin, Chief Counsel, and Jack Stucker, our Independence Foundation Fellow, negotiated and drafted a range of documents including partner formation documents, equity documents, a master lease for commercial space, and consultant contracts. They provided additional services as necessary to bring project to closing.