Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia breaks ground on four new homes in West Philadelphia. From left: Miss Bernice, West Philadelphia resident; Kim Mathis, Habitat homeowner and former Board member; Jamie Gauthier, City Councilmember, 3rd District; Corinne O’Connell, Habitat Philadelphia CEO; Floyd Lebron, Habitat Philadelphia Board Chair; Daryn Edwards, Principal, CICADA Architecture; Carlo Arjona, Senior Project Manager. (Photo by Cary Porter)

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia held a public groundbreaking ceremony on June 5 for a 40th Street Rowhomes project in the Mantua neighborhood.

A crowd of about 50 residents, supporters and staff cheered as the first shovels dug into the site at 40th and Reno Streets that will see four affordable homes built and sold to first-time homebuyers. Habitat Philadelphia Board Chair, Floyd Lebron, CEO Corinne O’Connell, and City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier provided remarks.

Habitat Philadelphia sells new homes with zero-interest mortgages to buyers making between 30-80 percent of the Area Median Income, creating equity and a foundation for families to thrive.

“When I meet families in our homeownership program, they inevitably say, ‘This is the first time I’ve heard yes,’ said Corinne O’Connell, CEO. “‘This is the first time I’m going to be able to catch my breath.’ That is what gives us the urgency to build more and do more.”

The 40th Street project continues Habitat Philadelphia’s history of impact in West Philadelphia, where it has built 54 new homes and provided 435 repairs since 1985. Habitat has worked alongside more than 850 residents in this part of the city.

The 40th Street project evolved through several iterations since it was originally developed to align with the Promise Zone Comprehensive Housing Strategy adopted by the City in 2018. Input and collaboration from community organizations like Mt. Vernon Manor CDC, Mantua Civic Association, Smith & Roller and HopePHL ensured any construction proposals reflected the needs of long-term residents in the neighborhood.

The homes on 40th street will be built by Habitat’s in-house team of carpenters, and the four homes will take about a year to complete.

Each of the four single-family homes include 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, with one unit providing wheelchair accessibility. Applications open July 1, and families who have a member with specials needs are encouraged to apply. Visit habitatphiladelphia.org to learn more.