Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will preside at the dedication and blessing of Saint Francis Villa, an affordable housing development for seniors in the East Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.  Catholic Health Care Services (CHCS) and the Office for Community Development (OCD) will join the Archbishop in celebrating the opening of this building. 

Tuesday, October 4, 2016
2:30 p.m.
Saint Francis Villa
2450 Emerald Street
Philadelphia, PA 1912

This development is part of OCD’s 10-year commitment to community development efforts in the area surrounding Visitation Parish. The 2009 Visitation Gateway Neighborhood Strategic Plan identified affordable senior housing as a need in the neighborhood. CHCS and OCD worked closely with two long established community anchors in Kensington, Saint Francis Inn and Visitation B.V.M. Parish, to generate and maintain community support for this important senior housing development in the neighborhood.

“This completion of Saint Francis Villa is the culmination of a vision that many have shared for this community.  CHCS is committed to bringing affordable senior housing into communities and providing seniors with well designed, dignified housing,” says John M. Wagner, deputy secretary and chief executive officer of CHCS.

 “We are very gratified to partner with the Archdiocese to provide quality affordable housing to seniors who might otherwise face the prospect of homelessness,” said Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah. “Good housing like what we see at Saint Francis Villa is fundamental to the general welfare of society. PHA was proud to invest $1.8 million toward construction and to commit up to $264,000 per year in ongoing subsidies for this wonderful development.”

Saint Francis Villa consists of 40 one-bedroom apartment units. Residents, of the requisite age and income levels, have access to community rooms, laundry facilities, and an outdoor garden space. In addition, CHCS provides social services to residents including connecting them with resources such as in-home care, public benefits, and food assistance and providing supportive counseling and intervention.  The building opened its doors on June 15, 2016 and was fully occupied by July. 

The Saint Francis Villa development was selected by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to receive a $10 million tax credit award.  PNC Bank joined with CHCS as its equity partner to create this affordable senior housing.  An additional $443,991 of capital funding was provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program.  The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) provided $1.5 million in capital funding and is providing an Annual Contribution Contract (ACC) subsidy for the building.

# # #

Editor’s Note: Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides services and housing for seniors, supporting them to remain in their homes and communities.  CHCS services for older adults include four senior centers, In-Home Support Program, Certified Geriatric Care Management and a growing portfolio of senior living communities.

Attached photo courtesy: Cecil Baker + Partners (architect) and Matt Wargo (photographer)

 Archdiocese of Philadelphia
  ArchPhilly
 ArchPhilly