Disposition
This Disposition section is for developers who need public assistance to complete site assembly for a development. It shows the ways land/property is transferred to a developer. We can guide you through the process.

For real estate ownership information:
Contact: 215-686-9270
Board of Revision of Taxes
brtweb.gov

Eligibilty Requirements RDA-Owned Property
The RDA manages and makes available to the public two inventories of real estate: RDA-owned properties and City-owned surplus properties. These include both vacant lots and vacant structures. Most of the structures are attached row-style houses in need of substantial rehabilitation in order to be habitable. The properties may be made available to individuals, businesses or organizations at fair-market value.

The prospective applicant must provide improvement plans and demonstrate the financial capability to rehabilitate the property. Project plans and financing are subject to review and approval by the RDA Board and City Council. Once approved, the property can be transferred for fair-market value, provided the applicant agrees to complete the project as approved. Improvement plans can be as simple as turning a vacant lot into a sideyard or community garden or as complex as rehabilitating a vacant structure for residential or commercial use.

The RDA does not provide funds for property rehabilitation in conjunction with the disposition of these properties. Developers of affordable housing may be eligible for financing through one of the affordable housing programs.
Contact: 215-854-6500, RDA

Disposition of RDA-Owned Property
Outlined below is the RDA’s process when disposing of property currently in its ownership.

1. RDA and developer enter agreement on redevelopment plan;
2. RDA and developer determine cost of property and settlement date;
3. Proposed agreement reviewed and approved
   by RDA Board, City Planning Commission and City Council;
4. RDA prepares deed for transfer to developer;
5. City/State real estate transfer tax prepared;
6. Developer and RDA sign Settlement Sheet including Consideration Amount, Service Fees, and applicable Transfer Tax, Deed and Deed Covenant;
7. Fees and taxes paid by developer;
8. Transaction recorded and deed sent to developer.

City Property/
VPRC Application Form
This application is submitted to purchase City of Philadelphia owned land for development, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Chapter 16-400 of the City Code. You must also complete and return the accompanying Conflict of Interest Disclosure. These forms are available in Acrobat Reader format. Please click here to download these forms. They are also available in Spanish. Click here

Contact Information: If you have any questions about how to fill in this application, please call 215-209-8612.

City-Owned Property, Surplus
The administrative functions of Vacant Property Review Committee (VPRC) (a City Council sub-committee) are centralized at OHCD. City-owned structures and lots declared surplus by the Department of Public Property may be made available to eligible applicants pursuant to Chapter 16-400 of the City Code. VPRC is the process by which such properties are acquired and conveyed. Acquisition may take the form of Sheriff Sale, Donor/Taker and/or Donation. Properties acquired are conveyed either at nominal cost or for fair-market value, depending upon income, reuse intent and other criteria.

PHDC-Owned Property
The Philadelphia Housing Development Corp. (PHDC) owns houses and lots that are available to the public. The Acquisition-Disposition Committee meets weekly to review and approve applications. Properties are sold at fair-market value in “as is” condition. Information required includes:

1. development entity’s corporate structure;
2. development proposal showing scope of work including preliminary architectural plans;
3. development proforma including budget, source of financing, operating plan and cash flow analysis;
4. letters of support from local community groups and elected officials;
5. PHDC conflict of interest statement; and
6. statement of no pending or threatened litigation.

Contact: 215-448-3125, Deputy Director, PHDC

Other Agencies Owning Property
Other public agencies that own and dispose of property in the City include:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
Contact: 215-656-0500
www.hud.gov

Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC)
Contact: 215-496-8020
www.pidc-pa.org

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)
Contact: 215-684-8237
Asset Management

Public Property, City of Philadelphia
Room 784 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: 215-686-4443
www.phila.gov/property