Abigail Pankey Apartments: bringing supportive, affordable housing to Mantua

RHLS Supervising Attorney Raina Mehta, and Staff Attorney, Esteban Rodriguez, worked with the Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) on the Abigail Pankey Apartments. These apartments are a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development, and they will provide 32 new affordable homes in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The construction can begin now that the deal has reached a financial close.

The Abigail Pankey Apartments will be a newly constructed building with 32 apartments in a single, four-story structure. There will be twenty-two 2-bedroom units and ten 3-bedroom units. Eight of the apartments will be fully accessible, and two will be sensory units, accessible to those with hearing and visual differences. Both the 2- and 3-bedroom units will be designed to meet the needs of families with children. The new development will include a community space, a bike storage room, and an outdoor green space. The new residents will also have in-unit washers and dryers, a huge help to any family! The development will meet Enterprise Green Communities Standards and EPA’s Zero Energy Ready Home guidelines.

The apartments are for low-income families, and there will be a supportive services office on-site to work with them. Twenty-one apartments are intended for families at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) with the remaining eleven apartments for families at or below 60% AMI. Twenty-one apartments will receive Project-Based Rental Assistance Demonstration (“RAD”) for a minimum term of 15 years. Three apartments will be set aside for the City of Philadelphia Supportive Housing Clearinghouse.

The land was formerly several parcels in Mantua. The Philadelphia Land Bank consolidated them and conveyed them to WCRP’s community land trust, Community Justice Land Trust, which in turn ground leased the land to the LIHTC Partnership. LISC provided $798,000 of predevelopment financing through their MacKenzie Scott partnership. The development also has equity financing from National Equity Fund (NEF), as well as funding from Citizens Bank, PHDC, PHFA, and FHLB Pittsburgh and Boston. Cicada is the Architect and Domus is the General Contractor. RHLS also worked with Stone Sherrick, a real estate consulting group.

​Apply for Abigail Pankey Apartments (Mantua)

Links:

​If you would like to pick up a paper copy, you can visit the Property Management office Wednesday between 9am – 3pm at 2036 N. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122.

How do I submit a completed application?

You can mail, fax or e-mail the completed application to our Property Management Office.

​Mailing address:  2036 N. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Fax #:  215-291-9511

e-mail:  wcrpleasing@wcrpphila.org

Please submit the following documentation with your application:

1. Proof of income: Photocopies of paystubs, SSI/SS letter, child support/alimony, etc. 
2. Photocopies of valid picture ID for all adult household members (over 18 years old)
3. Photocopies of Social Security card and birth certificates for all household members
4. Proof of assets: Photocopies of the checking/savings/retirement account statements, credit unit, universal and/or whole life insurance statement, etc.
5. Photocopies of marriage/divorced certificate and custody or foster documentation
6. Original medical letter specifying need for an accessible unit (if applicable)
7. Original reference letter from current landlord

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Is there an application fee?


There is no fee to submit an application.  Later in the process – when you are invited to an orientation – you will have to pay for criminal and credit background checks.  This is a non-refundable fee of $20 in a money order.

How long is the waiting list?

The length of time varies depending on the size of unit (# of bedrooms) you are applying for.  Generally speaking, it will be one to four (1 to 4 years) before you are called for orientation.

 If I want to know where I am on the waiting list, what should I do?

You can call the Property Management Office on Wednesdays between 9am and 3pm.  The number is 215-229-4020. 

For more information: