Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Poplar Nehemiah Homeownership Development

The Poplar Nehemiah Homeownership development in Philadelphia built and sold 176 new construction homeownership units in North Philadelphia, in an area centered on 13th and Poplar Streets. CDBG and a Section 108 guaranteed loan totaling $14.6 million acquired the site, performed environmental cleanup, and subsidized the construction of the units. HUD's Nehemiah program also provided $15,000 per unit. In addition, the City's Capital Program provided funds for infrastructure and streets construction. The houses were completed in phases between 1997 and 2000.

The development reconfigured the existing street pattern and created a Village Green community park, which is maintained by the Homeowners' Association. The project was instrumental in transforming a blighted, abandoned area located between Center City and Temple University. Housing values in the area have doubled since the project was completed.

Poplar Enterprise Development Corp., the project's developer, helped to create a joint venture between a CDBG-supported Neighborhood Advisory Committee ("NAC") called the West Poplar NAC, and the Enterprise Foundation of Columbia, Maryland, a nationally known affordable housing developer and intermediary. The development (including site planning and house design) grew out of a collaborative planning process between the community and the City. The architectural firm of Kise, Straw, Kolodner worked with the design team throughout the process.

The Poplar Nehemiah Homeownership development is a shining example of a successful activity undertaken by a community-based development organization to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income household