Officials of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia broke ground on a new senior housing project located on Emerald Street in Kensington on June 4. Catholic Health Care Services (CHCS) and the Office for Community Development (OCD) joined forces to develop the project, which will consist of 40 one-bedroom units for independent seniors. Residents who meet certain age and income criteria will be able to move in after the expected Spring 2016 completion and will have access to community rooms, laundry facilities, outdoor garden space and supportive services from the staff.
The project is part of OCD’s 10-year plan for development in the area surrounding Visitation B.V.M Parish, which was identified as being in need of affordable senior housing in the 2009 Visitation Gateway Neighborhood Strategic Plan. There are also plans to convert the defunct Nativity B.V.M. School in Port Richmond into a 63-unit senior housing development.
