In the last five weeks, a coalition of municipal and nonprofit agencies have stepped up to help residents of Lindley Towers. Residents were evacuated suddenly on September 14, when their building’s façade crumbled and then the structure was declared imminently dangerous.
After receiving a call for support from the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), employees from the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) responded to the crisis immediately. Working alongside OEM and other partners that include the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Community Legal Services (CLS), the People’s Emergency Center, and others, OHS staff have rushed to help provide temporary shelter and other critical resources.
Around 100 residents were initially provided short-term emergency housing at Samuel Fels High School. Ronald Rubio, an OHS social worker, remembers receiving an email asking for volunteers willing to meet with the displaced families. He and two other colleagues, Nadia Bazzey and Angela Chapman, were at the school’s gymnasium only hours later. “We pretty much sat down with everybody there who was interested in rental assistance or shelter services.” Rubio recalls. “They were closing everything and we knew we had many families to move. They literally didn’t have a place to go.”
OHS set up an emergency shelter in collaboration with the People’s Emergency Center (PEC) for about half the residents – 16 families in all, including pets – when Fels High School was no longer an option for them. PEC repurposed an unused space and was able to welcome Lindley Towers residents right away. PEC staff provided food, new linens, school supplies for kids, and behavioral health counseling. “While we wish our services weren’t needed,” said PEC President Kathy Desmond, “but we are glad to provide a welcome respite for these families, in partnership with the Office of Homeless Services and other agencies, following such a sudden turn of events in their lives.” To date, nine households remain at PEC, along with three cats and a dog!
Philadelphia courts have held two, separate hearings. The City has sought to ensure that the property is safe and in good repair. CLS has sought protections on behalf of the residents. Meanwhile, OHS has remained closely involved with residents. Keisha Moore-Johnson, a shelter services administrator for OHS, has been in constant communication with PEC staff, social services partners, and residents themselves. “With CLS, we’ve been able to provide an overview of everything that’s taking place, where they are in the lawsuit, and monies they are entitled to.” She has also helped connect those displaced with organizations like Career Wardrobe and Cradles to Crayons, which can provide clothes and other necessities.
Because of structural safety concerns with Lindley Towers, residents have not yet been able to retrieve any items from the apartments they were forced to flee. “It’s heartbreaking,” Moore-Johnson said. “It’s hard when you have so many things there, especially personal items. You know, mementos, photos.” The housing crisis thrust upon residents is far from over. However, OHS will continue to work with them and the dedicated group of partners as long as it’s needed.
Main photo: City and nonprofit agencies host a resource fair for Lindley Towers residents on October 13. Courtesy of the Office of Emergency Management.
