Gaudenzia Completes Philly Affordable Housing Project
Designed by Cecil Baker + Partners for families battling addictions, the 24-unit community is now open for residents that are transitioning from treatment to independent living.
By Laura Calugar
The Tioga Family Center in Philadelphia
Tioga Family Center, an affordable permanent housing development of non-profit Gaudenzia, is now complete and open. Built on a previously empty parcel in northern Philadelphia, the 24-unit community provides housing for adults who are in the process of recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. Cecil Baker + Partners was in charge of architectural design.
Located at 1822-26 W. Tioga St., the property is within a 15-minute drive of downtown Philadelphia. Tioga Family Center features one-, two- and three-bedroom units, all equipped with dark cabinets in kitchens and designer light fixtures in living rooms and bedrooms. Amenities include:
- service and management offices
- community room
- dedicated childcare space
- three classrooms
- two playground areas
- basketball court
An energy-efficient building
Tioga Family Center is one of the first projects completed according to Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s latest energy efficiency standards. The property complies with Enterprise Green Communities requirements and qualifies for a lowered home energy rating system index score. The apartments use 50 percent less energy than typical code-built units.
Gaudenzia will oversee operations of the building and provide the on-site meetings, adult education and other resources to help individuals remain stabilized in their recovery. “Tioga Family Center is designed to be a safe and supportive community, outfitted with thoughtful details intended to encourage residents to feel comfortable in and proud of their homes, details you will find in any quality market-rate housing,” said Nancy Bastian, partner at Cecil Baker + Partners, in a prepared statement.
Another land parcel in Philadelphia that has sat idle in the past few years is set to be transformed into an affordable senior housing community. Last year, NewCourtland Senior Services acquired the former Liddonfield development from the Philadelphia Housing Authority for $5.5 million.
Image via Google Street View
