Transformational Housing

One of NPIHN's primary goals is to ensure that the families we support are able to find affordable housing in mixed-income communities upon leaving the shelter.  We have established a small “transformational” housing program to offer affordable housing opportunities to our families.

NPIHN staff and mentors provide extensive assistance to these families, ensuring that they are able to consistently pay rent on time and maintain good credit. The end goal of NPIHN's transformational housing efforts is to prepare families to become permanent renters or homeowners in neighborhoods of their choice within three to five years.  We have two opportunities for our former families:

• Property Rehabilitation: NPIHN volunteers devote hours to rehabilitating donated or purchased residential properties in Northwest Philadelphia, a safe, mixed-income neighborhood located close to our support network. Upon completion, we lease the properties to eligible families that have left our congregational-based shelter setting.  We currently have two such properties.
   
• Rental Subsidy Program: NPIHN provides substantial rental subsidies for up to three years to eligible families that have left our congregational-based shelter setting. The subsidies supplement monthly market-rate rental fees that families pay to Northwest Philadelphia landlords participating in our program. Landlords have the assurance of getting responsible tenants, backed by the supports of NPIHN's extensive network of resources. We are currently providing subsidies for three families.

Our organization is always pleased to consider properties in need of rehabilitation for our next volunteer project. We are also happy to discuss opportunities with interested landlords.

For more information about our transformational housing program, please contact Cathy Smith, Director of Family Services at 215-247-4663 x139 or at Cathy@philashelter.org.