Catholic Housing and Community Services will add Saint Rita Place to their growing portfolio of affordable housing for independent seniors.

Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) is pleased to announce it has been awarded with a tax credit allocation of approximately $12 million for the development of Saint Rita Place, an affordable housing community for independent seniors. These funds were awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) on July 11, 2019. The exact funding amount will be posted by PHFA on its website in the near future.

Plans are underway to transform a vacant lot on South Broad and Ellsworth Streets, located next to the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, into a five-story mixed-use space that incorporates the Shrine’s vision for the Cascia Center with affordable senior housing. The new construction is being designed by Cecil Baker Partners and will complement the façade of Saint Rita of Cascia Church, which is located adjacent to the south side of the complex.

The building will consist of 46 one-bedroom apartments for income eligible seniors 62 and older on the second through fifth floors. All units will be visitable for people with physical disabilities. Through CHCS’ extensive experience with service to seniors, combined with its broad array of program offerings and partnerships, Saint Rita Place will feature a proactive model that anticipates and addresses each resident’s unique needs.

Located on the ground floor, The Cascia Center will advance justice and peace for those in need of healing. The 7,500 square foot Center will consist of offices, conference rooms, a kitchen, and facilities to serve the needs of individuals and groups who come as religious pilgrims to the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia. The Augustinian Friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova will provide services to individuals and families affected by violence who are in need of healing.

Construction on the $16.9 million project is anticipated to begin in spring 2020.

Background on PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $14.2 billion of funding for more than 175,900 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 134,507 rental units, and saved the homes of more than 49,725 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

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Editor’s Note: CHCS is a leading provider of senior living services throughout the Philadelphia region. Dedicated staff are committed to providing the best quality support for seniors and their loved ones through senior programs. Programs include senior housing, senior centers, older adult care management, in-home support programs, adult day care, elder care helpline, and senior clubs. To learn more about Catholic Housing and Community Services, please visit http://chcsphiladelphia.org/
For more information on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, please visit https://www.phfa.org/