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WHAT'S NEW? Construction at MPB School Nears Completion Wednesday, May 01, 2013 The historic rehabilitation of the MPB School is expected to wrap up later this summer.  Historic window replacements (spanning two floors and weighing 280 lbs. each!) were installed this month. They are energy efficient, meet historic requirements, were manufactured locally to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, and are much easier to open than the previous windows.  This historic feature is a window from the principal’s office of the original parochial school, which will be preserved in the renovations.  New hot water heaters are 98% efficient with Energy Star labels. Systems like this and the new HVAC systems help conserve energy and reduce residents’ utility bills. Labels: Enterprise Green Communities, green buildings, historic rehabilitation, LIHTC, MPB School, North Philadelphia Housing Delaware’s Most Vulnerable Saturday, April 27, 2013 CPM has taken over management of 102 units, serving 170 persons, with serious and persistent mental illness in the State of Delaware. Similar to our masterleasing operation in Montgomery County, PA, this program is designed to allow residents to live in their choice of neighborhood with the supports they need to be successful. We anticipate that the program will grow over the next few years, to house as many as 300 individuals. New Mission, Vision, and Values Approved Thursday, April 25, 2013 We are excited to announce that we’ve just completed a new strategic plan, which will be made public later this summer. As a preview, check out our new mission, vision, and values: Vision: Mission First Housing Group envisions communities where everyone can live independently in affordable, safe and sustainable homes with access to resources and opportunities in their community. Mission: Mission First Housing Group’s mission is to develop and manage affordable, safe and sustainable homes for people in need, with a focus on the vulnerable. We ensure our residents have access to resources to help them live independently. We deliver housing that provides long-term benefits to residents and neighborhoods alike. Our Core Values Fairness. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe, affordable, sustainable home. We believe that all people should have access to resources and opportunities to improve their lives. This is what drives us every day. Collaboration. We believe that by working together, we can help more people. We collaborate with our co-workers, funders, public agencies, nonprofit service providers and other stakeholders. We do this so we can bring more resources to the table, build better homes, house more people in need, and provide greater supports so people can live independently. Stewardship. We believe it’s our responsibility to carefully steward the resources entrusted to us by our funders and partners on behalf of our residents. Fiscal accountability is the driving force behind our business model. This is what helps ensure that our work is sustainable long into the future. Leadership. We strive to be a leader in the field of affordable housing. We work hard to take care of what we’ve already developed. At the same time, we are forward thinking, always considering what new innovative measures we might bring to help us house more vulnerable people. We don’t shy away from a challenge. We are flexible, strategic and we like to solve problems. We work hard until the job is done because people are counting on us. Accountability. We expect to be held accountable by many people: our residents, Board of Directors, employees, partners, funders and vendors. Our success depends on their believing in the integrity of our work. We conduct all of our relationships with honesty, transparency and fairness. Labels: strategic plan Wyalusing Meadows - Information Sessions Friday, April 19, 2013
 Mission First, in conjunction with CPM, will be hosting two information sessions for Wyalusing Meadows,
the proposed 50 unit housing development in Wyalusing Borough, on April
25 and 26. These sessions will give residents of the Borough and
greater Bradford County the opportunity to find out more about the
development, meet the Mission First team, and have their questions
answered. Those interested in moving into the proposed development will
have the opportunity to add their name to an interest list of
prospective residents.Information Sessions will be held as follows:
April 25th, 2013
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Grovedale Winery Tasting Room
119 Grovedale Lane Wyalusing, PA
(across from Wyalusing High School)
April 26th, 2013
9:30am – 11:00am
Greater Wyalusing Chamber of Commerce
121 Main Street Wyalusing, PA
Refreshments will be served at both events.
Mission First is currently awaiting word on Wyalusing Meadows’ funding application from Harrisburg and has previously been awarded PHARE dollars to contribute to the development costs of the project. The development has attracted support from the Borough Commissioners, County Commissioners, and State Senator Gene Yaw. Labels: Enterprise Green Communities, green buildings, LEED®, LIHTC, new construction, Wyalusing Philly Spring Cleanup Day Success Saturday, April 13, 2013
  With all hands on deck, the street closed off, and supplies provided by the City of Philadelphia, everyone eagerly went to work cleaning the streets, sidewalks and lots. Within 1 ½ hours, the street was cleaned up and there was a clear distinction between the before and after. Fishtown Fleet Company came through with water pressure machines and washed away any lingering dirt. Jose Arce, a longtime maintenance vendor, and his crew came to remove all the garbage and recycling materials from the block. Once everyone finished cleaning up, they were treated to a hearty meal provided by K & R Catering services. The food was excellent!  When it was all said and done, the 1700 block of North 16th Street was clean! Children were playing with each other in the street. Residents were sitting on their steps talking and laughing with each other. CPM staff were engaging residents in conversations about the success of this project and next steps to enhance the sense of community and pride among residents on 16th Street. Stay tuned… There is so much more to come! -LaShea Davis Labels: North 16th Street, Philly Spring Cleanup, Resident Services An Update on our Fund for Veterans Saturday, April 06, 2013 As you know, we established a Fund for Veterans in December 2012 to help provide homes to our nation’s heroes. The goal is to raise money to provide housing rental subsidies so that area veterans in need can get into permanent housing more quickly, receive help paying rent while they get on their feet and connected to the supports they need to live independently and feel a part of their community. In an amazing show of support from our board, staff, and family and friends, we have raised over $26,000 in just five months! Even better news: Seven veterans and their families have moved off the streets and into a place they call home within our portfolio. We currently have another 45 veterans on the list and look forward to helping them find homes soon. We have also formed a Veterans Advisory Committee, which will begin meeting in June, to help guide our growing work with veterans. We will continue to raise money for the Fund year round and we’ll look forward to keeping you updated on the success of the fundraising campaign and our work to house veterans in need. - Moira Rooney Welcome home, Kitty! Saturday, April 06, 2013
Kitty Scott was born and raised in the apartments at the corner of 56th and Walnut Streets in West Philadelphia, long before they were called Walnut Hill West. She also spent some time living on the streets in this same neighborhood, caught in the downward spiral of a substance abuse addiction. And now years later, an unlikely twist of events has landed Kitty and her two children, ages 9 and 13, a home of their own in the newly rehabilitated Walnut Hill West. A self-described “recovering addict of 17 years,” Kitty has been working hard to improve her life and the lives of her children. She is currently the House Manager and Kitchen Coordinator for Women of Change, a women’s shelter in Philadelphia. Sixteen years ago, Kitty started working at Women of Change as support staff. Over the years she has worked her way up to her current position. But this job is so much more than a paycheck to her. She is able to connect with the women in a unique way, due to her own background and experience on the streets of Philadelphia. She has started an “Inspiration Group” with the ladies at Women of Change and is currently applying to a GED program. She looks forward to one day completing a Peer Specialist Certification program, “an innova¬tive program that trains and certifies people with behavioral health and substance use challenges to work in the behavioral health field,” through the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. But despite all of her hard work and determination, Kitty and her children found themselves again on the brink of homelessness last fall. Due to serious health problems, Kitty was unable to go to work, and therefore running behind on her rent. In desperation, she reached out to CPM for help, just as Walnut Hill West began leasing up. Kitty qualified for an apartment and she and her children are now model tenants at this property. They pitch in and help with picking up litter on the sidewalks and Kitty can be found (voluntarily!) cleaning the common laundry rooms at 7am every Sunday. Kitty says, “It is such a blessing to be here; it’s like I am back home again… but it is so much more beautiful!” She especially notes the impact it has had on her children. “I can really see the change in them because they are secure now. They are much more at peace, and their grades have improved dramatically. I can’t tell you what it means to us not to live in fear any more. When your housing is unstable, it affects everything… but living here really is a dream come true!” - Jessica Stackhouse Labels: Enterprise Green Communities, green buildings, LIHTC, rehabilitation, residents, Walnut Hill West Groundbreaking of the SeVerna on K Friday, February 15, 2013 What a gorgeous day for a groundbreaking!  The weather was perfect, the crowd was buzzing with energy, and there was plenty to celebrate: the beginning of construction at The SeVerna on K marks the completion of the vision that had been 40 years in the making. The SeVerna on K will stand 9 stories tall and provide 133 mixed-income apartments in the Northwest One Neighborhood of Washington DC. This rapidly developing area is within eyeshot of the Capitol and walking distance to Union Station – an ideal location in the heart of one of the fastest growing cities in the country. As Mayor Vincent Gray noted, developments like this bring to life to his vision of a diverse and accommodating city that provides housing for people of all walks of life. Labels: green buildings, LIHTC, new construction, SeVerna, Washington DC Ending Veteran Homelessness Wednesday, December 05, 2012 For most of us, the holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But many of our neighbors struggle with the most basic needs, like finding a safe place to spend the night. Last year 145,000 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program. Even more spent the night on the street. In Philadelphia, 24,000 veteran households are at risk of homelessness. CPM Housing Group recently established a Fund for Veterans to help provide homes to our nation’s heroes. Our goal is to raise money to provide housing rental subsidies so that area veterans in need can get into permanent housing more quickly, get help paying rent while they get on their feet and connected to the supports they need to live independently and feel a part of their community. Get more details about how it works, and how you can help.
- Moira Rooney
Labels: homeless, Philadelphia, Veterans Financial Workshop Benefits CPM Residents Monday, December 03, 2012 CPM residents in North Philadelphia have the opportunity to participate in a class called Framework for Building Your Financial House. Designed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the class is intended to help tenants identify and achieve their financial goals. Major points covered in the course include investing in yourself, maximizing earnings, sensible spending, saving and building up assets, weathering financial storms, and borrowing wisely to grow assets.
"Love it! This brings back things I used to know–making money work for me… Also, meeting people and sharing information.” And, “I forgot so much of what needs to be happening with me financially, i.e. what to do now that I am not working. This helps me understand. Also meeting great people, it’s a nice class.” Taught by Holly Chase, PHFA Financial Education Officer, the course began in September of 2012 and will wrap up in May of 2013. CPM’s Resident Services Manager, Kay Ray, helps facilitate the monthly meetings, which are held on the campus of Temple University.
- Jessica Stackhouse
Labels: North Philadelphia, residents |
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