$6.1M Approved for Philadelphia Community and Economic Projects

Revitalizing communities and enhancing neighborhoods in Pennsylvania is pivotal for fostering opportunities and ensuring a prosperous economic future for the state.

Harrisburg, PA – In a recent announcement, Rick Siger, the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), unveiled the approval of 16 projects with a total funding of over $6.1 million under the Local Share Account (LSA) – Philadelphia initiative. The funded projects aim to enhance affordable housing for veterans, facilitate community farming through a new warehouse, and bolster security measures for a homeless shelter and foster care facility.

LSA – Philadelphia aims to bolster community enhancements, economic growth, neighborhood redevelopment, and public benefit projects throughout Philadelphia.

“This funding will support many critical projects and help create safer and healthier communities for Philadelphia residents and visitors,” stated Secretary Siger. “Since day one, the Shapiro Administration has been doubling down on projects like these to strengthen our communities and help grow Pennsylvania’s economy.”

The projects receiving financial support in Philadelphia include:

Community Engagement

• $475,000 awarded to Center City District (CCD) for the redevelopment of the former Reading Railroad viaduct from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue.
• $455,399 granted to First Stop Recovery for acquiring and renovating a plot adjacent to their healing garden on Kensington Avenue.
• $500,000 allocated to Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition, Inc. for renovations at their facility on Snyder Avenue.
• $500,000 directed to Work to Ride for the renovation of Chamounix Equestrian Center and stables.

Economic Advancement

• $500,000 assigned to the Urban League of Philadelphia for constructing a social services center in West Philadelphia.
• $500,000 to AHARI, A Home is a Right, for developing a mixed-use veterans complex known as Veterans Village.
• $33,413 for Face to Face to refurbish their Germantown office.

Neighborhood Transformation

• $200,000 awarded to Historic Fair Hill for the construction of a new community center.
• $22,588 to HopePHL for enhancing security at a shelter and foster care facility on Spring Garden Street.
• $304,000 to the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District for lighting improvements on North Second Street.
• $500,000 to Rock Ministries of Philadelphia for developing housing and retail space on Kensington Avenue.
• $272,589 to the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative for a security camera installation project.

Public Welfare

• $500,000 to the Sunday Breakfast Association of Philadelphia (Philly House) for renovating their headquarters.
• $500,000 to Beech Community Services to renovate a vacant property in the Lower North District.
• $353,054 to CH Pennsylvania Under-21 (Covenant House Pennsylvania) for renovating their Crisis Shelter.
• $500,000 to New Kensington Community Development Corporation for acquiring the Stella Street Warehouse to support community food growth initiatives.

The DCED has organized the Local Share Account (LSA) – Philadelphia program to allocate a fraction of slot machine license operation fees from Category 1 or 2 facilities within Philadelphia. This funding, sanctioned by Act 71 (the Gaming Act), supports economic growth, neighborhood development, community enhancements, and public interest projects in the city.

To learn more about the LSA – Philadelphia program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website. Stay connected with the latest updates on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.