Groundbreaking of the Long-Term Recovery Residence in Kensington
The residence at 100 E. Lehigh Avenue provides affordable housing in the heart of Kensington at the epicenter of Philadelphia’s opioid epidemic
Project HOME today announced the groundbreaking of its 21st and second affordable residence in Kensington to be held on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:45 a.m. The residence, located at 100 E. Lehigh Avenue provides 62 new homes to men and women. It offers safe, recovery-focused housing with street outreach and employment services designed to empower adults to break the cycle of chronic street homelessness, while addressing the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders.
“Project HOME has developed a model that pairs housing with the critical supports of education, healthcare, and employment all of which is much needed in Kensington,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Project HOME Co-founder and Executive Director. “This building represents a loving, supportive refuge for the Kensington community and a commitment from those who support it that we recognize the need, and we’re here address it along with our incredible partners.”
Two of the current funding partners on this project are John and Leigh Middleton (MPOWER) and the Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Foundation. MPOWER leverages the support of both public and private funders. The JBJ Soul Foundation has been a leader on many of Project HOME’s projects and is proud to be a part of this one. “It is a pivotal moment for the JBJ Soul Foundation to join this groundbreaking in Kensington, with partners who continue to help those experiencing street homelessness,” says Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “We are so proud to continue our long-time support of Project HOME in this new endeavor, which will provide much needed safe housing and impactful services to the residents of this community, and we invite you all to join us in this work.”
Kensington Long-Term Recovery residents are linked to medical and behavioral health services and substance use and recovery services, as needed. All residents are also eligible to receive employment and education services through Project HOME’s Adult Learning and Employment Department.
This is the ninth project of MPOWER, a unique partnership model drawing on a powerful network of people and ideas that multiplies Project HOME’s impact in five key areas: investments, relationships, resources, advocacy, and evidence.
The event included remarks from:
• Sister Mary Scullion, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Project HOME
• Leigh Middleton, MPOWER Co-founder and Project HOME Trustee
• Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of JBJ Soul Foundation
• Monique Taylor, Outreach Specialist at Project HOME
• Brendan Boyle, Congressman of PA’s 2nd District
• Kelvin Jeremiah, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority
• Director Robin Weissmann, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
• Janet Stearns, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development and Asset
