Lucien E. Blackwell Homes
(Mill Creek Revitalization)

Location:
17-square block, 38 acres
On-site: Brown Street to Fairmount Avenue, 44th to 47th Streets

Developer:
Philadelphia Housing Authority

Project:
627 new affordable housing units (approx 250 for sale rest for rent)
200 apartments, 341 senior housing units
Townhouses, twins and duplexes
Sales price starting at $65,000
2.5 acre landscaped park

Funding
Project Funding: Total Project Cost $110 million
HOPE VI Demolition grant
HOPE VI grant $35 million
LIHTC

For more information visit the PHA website: click here

The original Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) apartments were built in the 1950's and had deteriorated to the point where many units were unfit for residents. The PHA demolished the low-rise units in 1999 and imploded the hi-rise towers in 2002. These have been replaced with new construction townhouses.

In support of this revitalization effort the City is assisting with neighborhood revitalization. OHCD supported this effort by assisting with the financing of the St. Ignatius Senior Housing development on a large vacant lot adjacent to the new Lucien Blackwell Homes site. PHDC completed a Homestart project in the neighborhood and the West Philadelphia Empowerment Zone is completing several rehabilitated housing projects in conjunction with the Parkside Association of Philadelphia/ Community Ventures. There is a Targeted Basic Systems Repair area to assist homeowners with improvements.

PECO Energy
provided the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) with a grant of $232,100 for installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems at 22 homes four at the Lucien Blackwell Homes. The grant is part of a $500,000 PECO commitment to support solar power installation in low income housing in Philadelphia. The Housing Authority estimates that residents using the solar systems will save from $400 to $500 yearly in energy costs.