A coalition of politically powerful building trades unions will help finance the redevelopment of a dilapidated senior apartment complex in West Philadelphia, an arrangement the mayor framed as a first-of-its-kind approach to expanding the city’s affordable housing stock. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced the plan alongside her longtime ally Ryan N. Boyer, the business manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council. The pair said the conglomerate of dozens of trades unions will loan the Philadelphia Housing Authority $50 million to support the redevelopment of Brith Sholom House, a 12-story, 340-unit complex in Wynnefield that was so neglected under its previous owners that tenants were forced to move out. PHA president and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah said the trades’ investment comes in addition to the $99.6 million that the housing authority is spending on a rehabilitation of the apartment complex, bringing the total cost of the project to $150 million.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/20/2026