Parkside Neighborhood Preservation, an affordable housing property, has reopened in Fairmount Park near 42nd and Parkside after renovation. Mission First Housing Group, which develops and manages affordable and sustainable homes for low-income Philadelphians, completed the historic preservation of 82 affordable housing units in 16 buildings along the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Parkside Avenue and at 4201 Girard Avenue and 1237-1241 Belmont Avenue.

The buildings, which date back to 1895, were last renovated in 2001-2003 and the property was at risk due to its declining physical condition. The buildings needed updates such as windows repair/replacement, HVAC upgrades, exterior repairs, including porch and masonry work, flooring throughout the buildings, new appliances, and some bathroom and kitchen upgrades. Painting was completed in the units and common areas as well.

Parkside provides affordable housing to some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable residents. The property is in the growing housing market of the Parkside neighborhood in West Philadelphia, which continues to see new multifamily development, high occupancy levels and rising rents.

The project was financed through the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)’s Housing Trust Fund, Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract for Project Based Assistance and Federal Home Loan Bank New York funds.

Parkside Neighborhood Preservation grand re-opening celebration. attended by Sen. Vincent Hughes, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and other officials, took place on Friday, Sept. 22. (Photo courtesy of Mission First Housing Group)