$26.5M Investment to Modernize Philadelphia Senior Housing

Three senior housing communities in Philadelphia are undergoing major upgrades thanks to $26.5 million from Joe Biden’s clean energy program. The money will enable nonprofit housing developer HumanGood to modernize 329 affordable housing units serving low-income Philadelphians who are 62 or older. This will make them more energy-efficient and better prepared for extreme weather, all while reducing energy costs for residents.

The Developments

The funds will be used to renovate three properties:

• The 150-units at Riverside Presbyterian Apartments near Logan Square will receive $12.08 million in upgrades; 
• The 113-unit Tioga Presbyterian Apartments near Temple University will undergo $9.12M in renovations; and
• The 66-unit Jackson Place/South Philadelphia Presbyterian Apartments near Mifflin Square will receive $5.28M for modernizations.

Together, these upgrades will create a cleaner and more affordable home for senior residents living on fixed incomes. 

What’s Being Done

The improvements include installing energy-efficient systems for things like water use, enhancing climate resilience, and making necessary repairs to ensure the safety and comfort of residents. These renovations aim to lower residents’ power bills by making the units more energy efficient. 

The $26.5 million investment will also generate between 150 and 200 local jobs in construction and project management. 

Why It Matters

Affordable housing in Philadelphia is essential, especially as seniors face increasing costs of living. Low-income households spend more of their monthly income on power bills than other Philadelphia families in part because their housing is often less energy-efficient. With these upgrades, residents will not only save on energy bills but also benefit from homes designed to withstand extreme weather events, which have seen an increase in recent years.