UC Townhomes residents respond to city agreement
April 21, 2023
University City Townhomes Residents React to Legal Settlement Between City, Altman Management
Residents continue to demand a “Right to Return,” participation in any future development and deeply affordable housing
Philadelphia: After a two-year struggle, in which residents of “The People’s” Townhomes fought back against plans to displace one of the few remaining, predominantly Black, affordable housing developments in that area of West Philadelphia, the City and property owners, Altman Management/IBID settled an ongoing lawsuit over the property. The agreement, that stems from the lawsuit filed by Altman Co/IBID against the City, includes:
Partial preservation of the site for “Affordable Housing” and demolition of the existing site
Some level of compensation for residents who were—and are—being forced to relocate
Today’s settlement was shaped in part by over two years of Townhomes Residents fighting back to demand the City and local universities hold large developers accountable to increasing displacement throughout the city.
There was a resident-led Press Event on Friday, April 21, 4pm at 40th and Market St. in West Philadelphia to announce next steps. It included a march into surrounding streets with banners, signs and chants before ending backat 40th and Market.
Residents see today’s settlement agreement as falling far short of the solutions to address the individual needs of families and seniors being pushed out of the Townhomes and that of the City’s growing affordable housing crisis. The deal sets aside just over 19% of the current site for affordable housing and does not specifically address residents “right to return” or direct involvement in the future development of the property. Additionally, the settlement’s current “affordability” terms, which target tenants with incomes at 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), do not meet the affordability needs of seniors and families currently living at and around the site. Residents have continued to demand that the site prioritizes housing for families on fixed incomes at 30% AMI or lower.
“We must have a written commitment from the City that guarantees a ‘Right to Return’ with a housing subsidy for current and former residents and a commitment to work with the residents on the redevelopment of the preserved site” said Rasheda Alexander, a resident and member of the UC Townhomes Resident Council.
While this settlement–which residents were not a party to–is an important step in recognizing the importance of preserving affordable housing, there is a significant amount of work left to do to ensure meaningful preservation and reduce the harms of displacement. Residents have worked hard over the last two years to plan for a comprehensive vision of what resident-centered preservation is and are still prepared to work collaboratively with the City to bring this vision into existence.
Residents expect the City to fulfill its assurances–made to residents- to protect seniors and families by partnering to make sure any future development includes:
A written framework and process for a “Right to Return” for residents to any future development at the site, especially for residents with disabilities and homebound seniors
A subsidy attached to the future development that ensures tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent and utilities
Inclusion of residents in the redevelopment process for the future site
Accessibility for seniors, residents with disabilities and homehound residents
A future design that includes support for inter-generational living in unit sizes and building layout
Inclusion of community spaces for residents and young people
While residents see today’s settlement agreement as falling short of addressing their individual needs and the growing lack of deeply affordable housing, we realize this agreement would not have happened if it weren’t for residents and advocates standing up and pushing back to hold developers accountable. Residents will also continue to call upon the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University to address the displacement of historically Black communities by contributing funds toward this future development and other sites in the area.
“We said last year that we’re not going anywhere and we’ll continue to fight to make sure any future site includes deeply affordable housing for very low income seniors and families” -Darlene Foreman, UC Townhomes resident and Resident Council member.
UC Townhomes residents respond to city agreement
April 21, 2023
University City Townhomes Residents React to Legal Settlement Between City, Altman Management
Residents continue to demand a “Right to Return,” participation in any future development and deeply affordable housing
Philadelphia: After a two-year struggle, in which residents of “The People’s” Townhomes fought back against plans to displace one of the few remaining, predominantly Black, affordable housing developments in that area of West Philadelphia, the City and property owners, Altman Management/IBID settled an ongoing lawsuit over the property. The agreement, that stems from the lawsuit filed by Altman Co/IBID against the City, includes:
Partial preservation of the site for “Affordable Housing” and demolition of the existing site
Some level of compensation for residents who were—and are—being forced to relocate
Today’s settlement was shaped in part by over two years of Townhomes Residents fighting back to demand the City and local universities hold large developers accountable to increasing displacement throughout the city.
There was a resident-led Press Event on Friday, April 21, 4pm at 40th and Market St. in West Philadelphia to announce next steps. It included a march into surrounding streets with banners, signs and chants before ending backat 40th and Market.
Residents see today’s settlement agreement as falling far short of the solutions to address the individual needs of families and seniors being pushed out of the Townhomes and that of the City’s growing affordable housing crisis. The deal sets aside just over 19% of the current site for affordable housing and does not specifically address residents “right to return” or direct involvement in the future development of the property. Additionally, the settlement’s current “affordability” terms, which target tenants with incomes at 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), do not meet the affordability needs of seniors and families currently living at and around the site. Residents have continued to demand that the site prioritizes housing for families on fixed incomes at 30% AMI or lower.
“We must have a written commitment from the City that guarantees a ‘Right to Return’ with a housing subsidy for current and former residents and a commitment to work with the residents on the redevelopment of the preserved site” said Rasheda Alexander, a resident and member of the UC Townhomes Resident Council.
While this settlement–which residents were not a party to–is an important step in recognizing the importance of preserving affordable housing, there is a significant amount of work left to do to ensure meaningful preservation and reduce the harms of displacement. Residents have worked hard over the last two years to plan for a comprehensive vision of what resident-centered preservation is and are still prepared to work collaboratively with the City to bring this vision into existence.
Residents expect the City to fulfill its assurances–made to residents- to protect seniors and families by partnering to make sure any future development includes:
A written framework and process for a “Right to Return” for residents to any future development at the site, especially for residents with disabilities and homebound seniors
A subsidy attached to the future development that ensures tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent and utilities
Inclusion of residents in the redevelopment process for the future site
Accessibility for seniors, residents with disabilities and homehound residents
A future design that includes support for inter-generational living in unit sizes and building layout
Inclusion of community spaces for residents and young people
While residents see today’s settlement agreement as falling short of addressing their individual needs and the growing lack of deeply affordable housing, we realize this agreement would not have happened if it weren’t for residents and advocates standing up and pushing back to hold developers accountable. Residents will also continue to call upon the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University to address the displacement of historically Black communities by contributing funds toward this future development and other sites in the area.
“We said last year that we’re not going anywhere and we’ll continue to fight to make sure any future site includes deeply affordable housing for very low income seniors and families” -Darlene Foreman, UC Townhomes resident and Resident Council member.