UPDATE: A transformational $1.7 million grant has just been awarded to the Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) to kickstart the construction of 40 affordable homes in North Philadelphia’s Fairhill neighborhood. This significant funding, provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, aims to combat the blight in a community where 42% of residents earn less than $25,000 annually.
The project, named the Nayda Cintron Apartments, will rise on a cluster of vacant lots at 513-533 W. Cumberland St., an area ripe for development amid growing concerns of gentrification. WCRP is set to deliver three new buildings featuring a mix of housing options: two one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units, and 15 three-bedroom units, including 10 homes reserved for individuals with physical disabilities.
With the completion date projected for early 2028, this initiative addresses the urgent need for affordable housing in a city where 94% of low-income residents spend more than one-third of their income on housing costs—significantly higher than the average for similar earners in Philadelphia.
“The Fairhill neighborhood is on the brink of intense gentrification, with low incomes and outdated housing stock impacting livability,” stated Lorissa Luciani, executive director of WCRP. “Without targeted affordable construction, many families will be forced to move due to escalating housing costs.”
The Nayda Cintron Apartments will mark WCRP’s 18th affordable housing project in Philadelphia. The organization has successfully developed 369 housing units and has plans for an additional 105 units currently in the pipeline across various neighborhoods including Kensington and Germantown.
This development comes at a critical time as Philadelphia’s Mayor Cherelle Parker kicks off the $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy (HOME) initiative, which aims to create or preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing within the next four years, including 13,500 new units. Housing advocates are urging the administration to prioritize the most vulnerable populations before expanding to higher income brackets.
As the city anticipates the approval of the first-year budget for the HOME program by the end of this year, residents and advocates alike are watching closely. The Nayda Cintron Apartments not only promise to provide essential housing but also supportive services for health care, food, clothing, and utilities, ensuring that tenants receive comprehensive assistance.
The WCRP’s commitment to revitalizing neighborhoods through affordable housing and community support is a beacon of hope for Fairhill and beyond, highlighting the pressing need for action in the face of rising costs and displacement threats.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and share this urgent update to raise awareness about the critical housing needs in Philadelphia.
