Catholic Housing and Community Services Awarded Tax Credit Allocations for Saint Katharine Drexel Place

The agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will add a Northeast Philadelphia location to its growing portfolio of affordable housing facilities for independent seniors.

Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) is pleased to announce it has been awarded more than $16.1 million for the development of Saint Katharine Drexel Place, an affordable housing community for independent seniors. These funds were awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) on July 11, 2024, and they include:

  • Federal Tax Credit: $1.431 million for 10 years for a total of more than $14.3 million;
  • Pennsylvania Housing Tax Credit: $1 million;
  • National Housing Trust Fund: $750,000;
  • Health for Housing: $100,000.

Apart from PHFA, Trinity Health has matched Health for Housing’s grant with an additional $100,000 in funding. This allocation follows the City of Philadelphia’s award of $3.5 million.

Saint Katharine Drexel Place will be the eighth of its kind developed by CHCS. Located at 11051 Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia, the development is adjacent to Archbishop Ryan High School and involves the substantial rehabilitation of the former three-story school friary building as well as the construction of a new three-story addition. Saint Katharine Drexel Place will provide 48 one-bedroom units of service-enriched affordable housing and is being designed by CBP Architects.

The Saint Katharine Drexel Place development is supported by the Northeast Philadelphia community including Archbishop Ryan and Philadelphia City Councilman Brian O’Neill.   

“CHCS is thrilled that PHFA awarded Saint Katharine Drexel Place the funding to develop this vital housing in Northeast Philadelphia,” said Mrs. Suzanne O’Grady Laurito, Director of CHCS. “Given the critical need for affordable housing, all developments are important. Saint Katharine Drexel Place is particularly exciting given the partnership with Archbishop Ryan High School next door that will allow for intergenerational programming and the Health for Housing partnership with Trinity Health.”

“I am pleased and proud to join in welcoming such a high-quality affordable senior living development to the Far Northeast,” said Councilman O’Neill.

Saint Katharine Drexel Place will provide safe and affordable housing for income eligible seniors 62 and older. In addition, the development will be complemented by a rich program of on-site supportive services, which will include case management, health services, and recreational activities. Support services will be provided by CHCS and its partners.

Construction on the $23 million development is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025. Additional funding for the development is being provided by the City of Philadelphia, gap funding and a loan along with rental subsidies from the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

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 nearly $18.5 billion of funding for more than 199,500 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 103,328 rental units, distributed approximately $289 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,860 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: Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) is recognized as 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, parish-based elder care programs, elder care helpline, and senior clubs. To learn more about CHCS, please visit http://chcsphiladelphia.org/

For more information on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, please visit https://www.phfa.org/

Attached is a rendering of Saint Katharine Drexel Place for publication purposes with credit to CBP Architects and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

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Contact:
Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Human Services
215-587-3747 (office)