Since 1964, Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) has been serving the neighborhoods of Philadelphia and Philadelphians with the financial resources, repairs and modifications needed to live within the city and remain in their homes.
Defined as a full-service non-profit community development organization, PHDC offers numerous housing options, repurposed vacant land, and community assets.
Under the supervision of David S. Thomas, President and CEO of PHDC, programs such as Home Improvement Programs, also known as HIP, are focused on residents with lower incomes.
“Our income eligibility right now is for people with up to 60% of area median income that was just raised in the last couple of years, it used to be 50%.” HIP director George Russell informed Clifsidethoughts.
Director Russell has been with PHDC for 17 years and has been in this specific field assisting Philadelphians for the last 32 years.
“I've been doing this since 1991…its very rewarding work. Knowing that when I go home at the end of the day, Mrs. Smith's roof isn't leaking anymore, and Mr. Jones is able to take a shower by himself without having somebody help him for the first time in five or six years.”
Described as a program by the people, for the people, HIP reigns as an umbrella program for a collection of other programs that help provide services for Philadelphia residents’ homes.
Under HIP, there are two major programs: Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) and the Adaptive Modification Program (AMP).
BSRP focuses on major emergency repairs in homes such as broken ceilings, broken pipes, electrical wiring, while AMP singles in on accessibility for people with physical disabilities: creating modifications such as stair glides, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, wheelchair lifts, grab bars and railings.
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When asked about the struggles of both programs, Director Russell said, “we have two main struggles. [First] The demand is much greater than the resources. [Second] is finding enough contractors.”
HIP director George Russell
Both BSRP and AMP collectively serve around 3,000 homes a year with an estimated budget of 32.4 million for BSRP and 4.75 million for AMP.
While this is no amount to scoff at, Director Russell makes it clear that these are resources that quickly go into helping those on the waiting list for both programs.
“When we're up and running, and we're able to get to people within a couple of months, more people apply, because they're just like, ‘wow, this is a place that I can get this done, and I don't have to wait forever.’
Despite these issues, Director Russell believes that the interactions between the organizations and its clients are worth the hardships.
“It was my first time going out to see a client and the gratitude that she had for the work that we did in her house [especially since] she had an adult daughter who was disabled, and to walk away from that and know that there were those times 3000 out there.”
For Housing Rehabilitation Inspection Supervisor, Matt Foster, creating livable accommodations for those who need it is just part of the job.
Housing Rehabilitation Inspection Supervisor Matt Foster
As an Inspections Supervisor for BSRP, Supervisor Foster oversees the work of inspectors who go into clients’ homes as they assess the needs of the house.
Working with PHDC for the last 27 years, Supervisor Foster has been in numerous programs within the organization.
He had several positions. From formerly supervising the weatherization program to running the Crisis program, as well as his current as Inspection supervisor, Supervisor Foster has experienced it all since his starting days.
Through all his years at PHDC, one of the hardest parts of the job for him is the expectations between the program and the homeowner.
“Everyone has an expectation of what they want to have done. When we come into a home and we say okay, we're able to do this, the homeowner might have in their mind, that they want other things done.”
HIP has an estimated waiting list of 2,000 potential applicants, including the returnees who reapply for the program, while having an estimated 100 contractors to complete the jobs.
In addition, high priority needs are processed right away while others are processed in the order they are received. High priority for example would be no heat, sewage issues, or violations from License and inspections as informed by Program Manager Karen Washington.
“The only thing you can do is explain it to them and let them know what the program parameters are. And what we can and cannot do with it. If we can't do it, we can't do it.”
Even with the complications of the job, Supervisor Foster urges people to still apply and get the assistance needed for their home.
“Apply for it. I think a lot of people look at things and say, I need to have this done but I don't know the terms to get it done. I know I don't have the funds to get it done. … If you meet the income criteria, I tell anybody to apply for the program. It's a good program.”
Within these programs a portion of the logistics for the job are handled by the office staff who communicate with the team respectively.
AMP’s Administrative Analyst Maria Santiago provides this said communication as she assigns numerous jobs to the contractors to complete.
Administrative Analyst Maria Santiago
“Essentially [AMP] modifies the client’s homes. If they need good stair glides, we provide them with stair guides. We do wheelchair lifts, we do ramps. We do half baths on the first floor, and we do full bath with walk in showers.”
To apply for the program, one must be a resident of the house or a renter of the property, although they do not have be an owner, as informed by Analyst Santiago.
The criteria include applicants with any medical disability, such as visual impairment, physical disability, or a cardiac condition. Additionally, there is no age limit for the disability of those who apply.
However, there are some caveats to any applicants who want to enroll for the program.
“If they don't have any heat or light. If they're not living within the home Those things that come about, we will not service the property.” said Analyst Santiago.
If they have been tagged for a violation that is not a result of fraud then a homeowner can apply for the program
With 4 years of involvement at PHDC, Analyst Santiago still views her program’s impact as outstanding.
"A highlight of this job is helping the community, for sure. Especially our elderly and our disabled, because instead of kicking them out their homes, they could absolutely stay in their homes.”
When looking at both programs it may be difficult for some to see the difference when both provide home services in a client’s homes, however for Construction and Rehab Director Miguel Torres, it is very apparent.
In AMP the general process is as follows:
OT creates recommendations based off client's assessment
Trade work orders are created by offic staff according to OT's recommendations
Contractors assign work orders
Proposals submitted by contractors
Initial Inspections ordered
Initial inspections conducted by inspector
Proceed order issued
Contractors start work
Contractors complete work
Final inspections ordered
Occupational therapy follow-up conducted (to evaluate client use and functionality of modifications)
AMP is guided by the OT. The occupational therapist dictates what's going to happen at the property. The contractors are the ones that figure out how exactly that's going to happen to the property. And then the inspector approves that proposal.” Said Director Torres.
In contrast, for BSRP the process is as follows:
The inspectors identify any health or safety violations which must be addressed
Supervisor reviews the write-up of the inspector and creates trade work order
Supervisor prioritizes and identifies trade work order to be sent to contractor
Contractor visits property and then prepares and submits a proposal
Inspector reviews proposal and approves, then supervisor approves it
Proceed order is created and assigned to contractor
Next year marks the organization 60th year since its formation and envisions creating more opportunities to have programs that help Philadelphians reside in the city they serve.
Even with all the hurdles, processes that sometimes seem long, paperwork and procedures, the team at PHDC view their programs as a success for all.
“Understand that it's going to take some time and there's going to be some inconvenience while we're doing the actual work, but it'll be worth it in the end” Director Russell concludes.
To apply for these programs or to learn more, applicants should visit PHDC’s website or call 215-448-3000
Photos done by Julian Moore Griffin Philadelphia, PA | Freelance Photographer (jmooreg.com)
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