Currently under construction, Saint Rita Place will offer affordable housing solutions for senior citizens in South Philadelphia thanks to funding from a HUD grant.
Today Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, toured Saint Rita Place, an initiative of Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS), and held a news conference to announce immediate steps the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to increase the supply of affordable housing across the country.
Saint Rita Place is an affordable housing community for independent seniors in South Philadelphia. The residence is expected to open in the fall of 2021.
Secretary Fudge was joined by Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Human Services; Ms. Heather Huot, Director of CHCS; U.S. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd District); Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; and Ms. Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Ms. Heather Huot, Director of CHCS said, “This building, which is presently under construction, is a beacon of hope for the South Philadelphia community, and will soon provide seniors—who want to remain in the neighborhood they’ve known and loved for all of their lives—with a beautiful, dignified, safe, and affordable place to live. The need for affordable senior housing communities is great. Waiting lists are long and vacancies are scarce. For the 46 apartments that we are created here at Saint Rita Place, we have received over 220 applications.”
Ms. Huot went on to say, “I’m particularly grateful for the presence of Marcia Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; Congressman Dwight Evans; and Mayor Jim Kenney. Our partnership with government entities at the local, state, and federal level is critical to our ability to provide seniors with safe, dignified, and affordable housing solutions. We’re so grateful for your trust and ongoing support of the critical gaps we seek to fill for our treasured elders.”
The new construction was designed by Cecil Baker + Partners and will complement the façade of the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, 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 accessible for people with physical disabilities. Features of the building will include a community room, food cupboard, laundry facilities, resident lounges, as well as on-site social services to assist residents with aging in place. 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 be a multi-purpose space for the work of community-building, peacemaking, and reconciliation. 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 staff of the Shrine and the Augustinian Friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova will use the space to draw people together in friendship, education, and professional service to welcome, heal, and build bridges toward a more just and loving world.
In 2019, the Saint Rita Place development was awarded with a tax credit allocation of approximately $12 million by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and is partnering with RBC Capital Markets and Capital One for financing of the development. The Saint Rita Place development also received assistance from the City of Philadelphia, National Housing Trust Funds, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program Funds, and a private investment. The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia will also contribute $1.4 million toward the cost of constructing The Cascia Center. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia will be donating the land for the development.
Construction on the $18.3 million project is underway and the residence is expected to open in the Fall of 2021.
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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/
Contact:Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)