The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is taking significant steps to address vacant and blighted properties in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The agency plans to invest $84 million to renovate more than two dozen neglected homes, creating 121 affordable rental units.

Project Overview

PHA acquired 28 vacant properties in October 2025, including a mix of townhomes, rowhouses, and apartment buildings, some of which are historic, such as the Hamill Mill Apartments and Blakemore Apartments. Renovations are expected to begin by spring 2027 and take roughly 18 months to complete.

Units will range from one to five bedrooms and will be offered at deeply affordable rates for households earning 30% or less of the area median income—approximately $35,820 for a family of four.

Funding and Development Plans

PHA is currently in the design phase and plans to seek low-income housing tax credits through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. In addition to the Germantown renovations, the agency is proposing a new rental property in East Mount Airy to replace a recently demolished structure deemed unsafe.

Source: Adapted from PlanPhilly, January 9, 2026