UPDATE: A significant boost for affordable housing has just been announced in North Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has awarded a $1.7 million grant to the Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP), paving the way for the construction of 40 affordable homes in the blighted Fairhill neighborhood.
The grant will fund the development of the Nayda Cintron Apartments, located at 513-533 W. Cumberland St.. This initiative is a crucial response to the alarming reality that 42% of residents in Fairhill earn less than $25,000 per year, according to PolicyMap data.
The project will feature two one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units, and 15 three-bedroom units, with 10 homes reserved for people with physical disabilities. Tenants will benefit from project-based rental subsidies, ensuring that housing remains affordable despite rising costs. WCRP plans to complete the construction by early 2028.
Development consultant Stone Sherick estimates the total project cost at $23.5 million. WCRP’s executive director, Lorissa Luciani, emphasized the urgent need for affordable housing in Fairhill, stating,
“Fairhill is a neighborhood on the precipice of intense gentrification… Without intentional affordable construction, many households and families in Fairhill will be forced to move if they cannot afford rising housing costs.”
This project is not just about building homes; it’s about community stability. Among residents earning under $50,000 annually, a staggering 94% spend more than one-third of their income on housing—10% higher than the average for similar income brackets across Philadelphia. The new tenants will also receive essential supportive services, including assistance with health care, food, clothing, and utilities.
The Nayda Cintron Apartments will mark WCRP’s 18th affordable housing project in the city, contributing to the 369 units it has already developed, with another 105 units in the pipeline. This initiative is part of a larger effort by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, whose $2 billion Housing Opportunities Made Easy project aims to create or preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing in the next four years.
Housing advocates are urging the city to prioritize funding for Philadelphia’s poorest residents as the first-year budget for the HOME program is expected to be approved by the end of this year. This grant serves as a beacon of hope for families struggling against the tide of gentrification and high housing costs.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as WCRP continues to set plans into motion for the Nayda Cintron Apartments. The community is watching closely as affordable housing becomes ever more critical to the region’s future.
