The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) have announced a second phase of rental assistance for tenants affected by COVID-19. PHDC will begin accepting applications on Monday, July 6.

The first phase of rental assistance was able to assist more than 4,000 tenants. However, nearly 13,000 tenants applied to the program. Phase 2 will allow about 6,300 more renters to get help.

Funding for the program comes from the federal CARES Act. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is distributing funds to each county in the state. Philadelphia’s share is $28.45 million.  Continue Reading

The City of Philadelphia has announced an Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which aims to help people who have lost income and are unable to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The City will begin accepting applications for the program on Tuesday, May 12 at 10 a.m. The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 16 at 5 p.m.

To be eligible, renters must:

• Rent an apartment or house in Philadelphia
• Have a valid and current written lease signed by landlord
• Have lost income because of COVID-19
• Meet income guidelines  Continue Reading

Construction has begun on a new 8-story apartment building at the former parking lot on the southwest corner of 49th and Spruce. The building will include 150 residential units from the first through seventh floors and a roof deck on the eighth floor. The project also includes 41 parking spaces and 63 bicycle spaces on the ground floor.  Continue Reading

City Council passed legislation on Thursday changing the zoning on West Catholic High School’s parking lot at 46th and Chestnut, clearing the way for a seven-story apartment building.

Proposed by outgoing Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, the bill passed after extensive negotiations between a group of West Catholic alumni and supporters of the school and the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA). West Catholic wants to lease the land to a property developer to help fund renovations and provide scholarships for students. To make the deal financially attractive, the zoning had to be changed from CMX-2 to CMX-3 so that a developer can build a much bigger structure than is currently allowed.  Continue Reading

Councilwoman-elect Jamie Gauthier speaking at the “State of University City” event on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of University City District).

City Councilwoman-elect Jamie Gauthier told University City District supporters, staff and board during a speech at the organization’s annual “State of University City” event that she hopes the economic success in the area around the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital and Drexel University reaches into struggling neighborhoods as well.

“As more cranes go up in this area,” she said to the crowd of developers, donors and supporters of the University City District. “I hope our residents farther out can participate in that growth.”  Continue Reading

Lobbyist, longtime Philadelphia politico and West Catholic alum Eleanor Dezzi, seated left, discusses the proposal to change the zoning on West Catholic High School’s parking lot at 46th and Chestnut to allow the construction of a large apartment building. Attorney Ron Patterson (also a West Catholic alum), standing, and real estate developer Jim Paterno are also part of the West Catholic group. Drawings of a possible design are in the background (Photo by West Philly Local).

The Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee is considering a deal with West Catholic High School that would change the zoning on the school’s parking lot at 46th and Chestnut to make way for what could be a seven-story, 260-unit apartment building with ground floor commercial space.

The parcel is currently zoned CMX-2, which limits the height of the building. If West Catholic can secure a change to CMX-3, which allows for a much larger building, the parcel will become far more valuable to a potential developer.  Continue Reading