1260 Housing Development Corporation and the CPM Housing Group are pleased to announce the completion of the Temple II N. Gratz Street Project – the rehabilitation of 40 affordable housing units in 29 historic brownstone buildings on the 1500 Block of N. Gratz Street. A ceremony to commemorate the opening of the project will be held on the site at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 3, 2011. More details, directions, and registration for this event are online at www.celebratetemple2.eventbrite.com. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

The Project is expected to receive LEED for Homes® Platinum certification which highlights 1260’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the long-term health of its residents, and are part of the larger plan to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. David Hahn, Director of Construction, explains, “The cost savings that tenants will realize in their energy-efficient units (with extra insulation, Energy-Star appliances, and high-efficiency plumbing) will allow for more discretionary income to be spent in the community.”

Development funding for the Project was provided by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., Firstrust Bank, Community Lenders Community Development Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (through Firstrust Bank), Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (through M&T Bank) and The Reinvestment Fund. Rental subsidies for the Project are provided by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Temple II N. Gratz will also receive funding through the sale of carbon offset through the Enterprise Green Communities Offset Fund. This is the first domestic offset program supporting carbon reducing efforts through green affordable housing. Enterprise will purchase carbon emissions reductions from this project which will be retired, measured and verified over the next ten years.

Sustainable design elements of the Project include: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber; additional insulation in exterior walls; no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-emitting finishes or adhesive materials; high efficiency plumbing fixtures; high recycled content building materials and Energy Star and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-free mechanical systems. New Energy-Star Low E argon filled replacement and new windows increase day-lighting. A white roof system helps reduce the “heat island” effect. All site work was conducted in a manner to minimize disturbance of native vegetation and soil within the construction area. Best Management Practices of erosion and sedimentation controls were used, and a construction waste recycling program diverted 85% of the waste from landfills to recycling facilities. 

About 1260 Housing Development Corporation

1260 Housing Development Corporation (1260) is a 501(c)(3) Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation with a mission of providing high quality affordable housing with housing related services to low income individuals with a focus on individuals with behavioral health challenges in the City of Philadelphia. Since 1988, 1260 has developed over 1,200 units of affordable housing in Philadelphia. 1260 is a member of CPM Housing Group, a group of nonprofit companies with more than 20 years of experience in developing and managing affordable rental housing for low-income individuals. The CPM Housing Group currently operates more than 2000 units of affordable rental housing in the mid-Atlantic region.

About LEED® for Homes

LEED® for Homes is a third-party certification system for building and designing high-performance green homes that are energy-and resource-efficient and healthy for its occupants. Developed and administered by USGBC, LEED for Homes awards points to projects in eight categories of environmental performance: Innovation & Design Process, Location & Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency,
Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Awareness & Education. Homes can become LEED Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.