The Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) has recently broken ground on its newest affordable housing development, the Linda Lockman King apartments. The four-story multifamily building will replace an empty lot at 5500 Haverford Ave. and will offer 33 affordable rental units to low-income Philadelphians.

The new apartment building will consist of four one-bedroom apartments, 19 two-bedroom apartments, and 10 three-bedroom apartments, all with in-unit laundry and air conditioning. Nine units will be wheelchair accessible, and 23 units will be supported by the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA).

“This momentous groundbreaking marks another step forward in WCRP’s progress in creating more truly affordable homes in Philadelphia,” Lorissa Luciani, Women’s Community Revitalization Project’s executive director said during the groundbreaking ceremony which took place last week (see photo below).

The Linda Lockman King apartments are the latest WCRP property developed on land owned by a community land trust, ensuring the apartments will remain permanently affordable.

The Linda Lockman King apartments are named after the late Linda Lockman King, wife of Dr. Rodney E. King, pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church. A social worker by profession, King was a beloved staple in the West Philadelphia community, running free food programs and coordinating summer programs for neighborhood youth. One of her dreams was to purchase land across from Philadelphia Baptist Church and turn it into affordable housing.

With a particular focus on low-income women and their families, WCRP says it strives to increase equity through the development of affordable housing in Philadelphia. The organization involves residents and neighbors in their design to ensure homes meet the real-life needs of the families who live there. WCRP acts as property managers, handling leases and maintenance, and will also provide supportive services to tenants of the Linda Lockman King apartments.

To learn more about WCRP, please visit www.wcrpphila.org.

From left to right: Lorissa Luciani, Executive Director, WCRP; David Thomas, President/CEO, Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation; State Representative Morgan B. Cephas; Porscha Lockman-King, daughter of Linda Lockman-King; Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.; Marvin Johnson, Democratic Committee Member, 4th Ward; State Senator Vincent Hughes.