Rendering of 810 Arch Street via Project HOME website 

A new development at 810 Arch Street is bringing affordable housing to the mix of parking lots, institutional buildings and shabby storefronts that mark the eastern boundary of Chinatown.

The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation and Project HOME are partners on the development, which will contain 94 affordable apartment units for formerly homeless men and women, youth in danger of becoming homeless, and low-income residents. The development will be mixed-use with retail space and access to Project HOME’s human services.

Local philanthropists Leigh and John Middleton will provide some of the private funding. The husband and wife team were recently highlighted in the Inquirer for their extensive local philanthropy, in particular their grants to Project HOME and its affordable housing projects.

The development at 810 Arch Street is the one of four recent projects where Project HOME has partnered with the Middletons, as well as other private and public funders, to bring affordable housing to developing areas within and around Center City.

The JBJ Soul Homes, for example, located near the intersection of Fairmount and Ridge avenues, have 55 units of subsidized housing for formerly homeless individuals and families. The James Widener Ray Homes in Tioga have 53 units and also target formerly homeless and low-income residents. Both were completed in the last two years. 

Still in the works is the Stephen Klein Wellness Center, located just a few blocks west of the Temple University campus, which will combine a number of health services underneath one roof.

The 810 Arch Street development is expected to be finished in October 2015.