Restore Repair Renew

This program helps Philadelphia homeowners access low-interest loans to invest in their properties. Lenders participating in the program offer 10-year, 3% fixed Annual Percentage Rate loans that range from $2,500 to $24,999 to eligible homeowners. Income guidelines apply. Download the flyer in English and Spanish.

To learn more, please visit here.

Need help finding housing programs?

Housing Helper from the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Planning and Development is a search tool where an individual can input their household basics, such as number of household members, owner or renter, and estimated gross income, and find relevant housing programs. In many cases, the user can even elect for the housing program to contact them directly.
All results will provide you with a name, number and/or website to begin the process. Please note: This is NOT an application. This is a search tool.

Click here for DPD Housing Benefits.

Parks & Rec asks families to mark their calendars now & ‘Refuel at the Rec’ on school district holidaysf

Students can visit City recreation centers and playgrounds to receive free, nutritious meals on school holidays during winter, spring breaks. Parks & Rec will distribute the meals on a first-come, first-served basis between mid-afternoon and early evening. Families can call their nearest participating recreation center to confirm hours of service. The meals are only for children and teenagers up to 18 years old, and must be eaten on-site. More here.

Select Philadelphia recreation centers and playgrounds will provide free meals for children up to 18 years old on the following days:

• December 27, 2021

• December 28, 2021

• December 29, 2021

• December 30, 2021

• For 2022: January 3, February 1, April 11, 12, 13, 14.

Facilities available in the neighborhood are: Cruz Recreation Center, Towey Recreation Center, and East Poplar Playground.

A full list of participating facilities (food sites, student, senior & outdoor meal sites) besides additional information about food resources is available online.

SKCP is Hiring!

Are you passionate about connecting community members with needed housing resources (e.g., to prevent eviction/foreclosure, make critical home repairs, and preserve family wealth)?

Are you a detailed-oriented multitasker looking for a flexible, part-time work opportunity?

SKCP may have the perfect job for you!

Please visit the job postings linked below for full descriptions of each position:

Neighborhood Advisory Committee Coordinator (Full Time)

Program Assistant (Part Time)

Support your neighborhood!!

In 2021, SKCP was awarded a Soak It Up Adoption (SIUA) grant from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). The grant enables SKCP's Clean & Green crew to provide weekly maintenance and reporting on Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) - aka rain gardens and tree trenches - along the 1300 block of North American Street, and to engage our community around ways they can help keep pollution out of local waterways.

In October, shortly after becoming the newest SIUA community partner, we helped celebrate 10 years of PWD's Green City, Clean Waters program at PWD's anniversary event on North American Street showcasing more than four dozen stormwater infrastructure tools along the corridor. We capped the week off with a Storm Drain Marking tour, led by Master Watershed Steward Sarah Roche.

In 2022, SKCP looks forward to continued partnership with PWD and engaging neighbors in further education, Rain Check workshops, Storm Drain Marking and more!

SKCP’s work is carried out by a small staff, a volunteer board, and a few dedicated residents. We depend on you, our neighbors, to contribute in big and small ways to help us continue to support the neighborhood.

Please consider giving in any amount to help us meet our goal.

Here's the link: https://donorbox.org/skcp-annual-appeal-2021

A big THANK YOU to this neighborhood business supporter!
@homesweethomePHL

Want to see your business highlighted here? Donate $100 or more to the SKCP Annual Fundraiser and let us know your business name and any key info in the comment box.

A big THANK YOU to this neighborhood business supporter! @homesweethomePHL

Want to see your business highlighted here? Donate $100 or more to the SKCP Annual Fundraiser and let us know your business name and any key info in the comment box.

Parks & Rec asks families to mark their calendars now and ‘Refuel at the Rec’ on school district holidays

Students can visit City recreation centers and playgrounds to receive free, nutritious meals on school holidays during winter, spring breaks. Parks & Rec will distribute the meals on a first-come, first-served basis between mid-afternoon and early evening. Families can call their nearest participating recreation center to confirm hours of service. The meals are only for children and teenagers up to 18 years old, and must be eaten on-site. More here.

Select Philadelphia recreation centers and playgrounds will provide free meals for children up to 18 years old on the following days:

• December 27, 2021

• December 28, 2021

• December 29, 2021

• December 30, 2021

• For 2022: January 3, February 1, April 11, 12, 13, 14.

Facilities available in the neighborhood are: Cruz Recreation Center, Towey Recreation Center, and East Poplar Playground.

A full list of participating facilities (food sites, student, senior & outdoor meal sites) besides additional information about food resources is available online.

SKCP is Hiring!

Are you passionate about connecting community members with needed housing resources (e.g., to prevent eviction/foreclosure, make critical home repairs, and preserve family wealth)?

Are you a detailed-oriented multitasker looking for a flexible, part-time work opportunity?

SKCP may have the perfect job for you!

Please visit the job postings linked below for full descriptions of each position:

Neighborhood Advisory Committee Coordinator (Full Time)

Program Assistant (Part Time)

Update: Application for trees planted on your block

Applications are DUE BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29th

Old/South Kensington Tree Tenders is taking applications now for trees to be planted in Spring '22.


If you would like to see trees planted on your block please let us know. You can fill out the form at https://pg-cloud.com/phs/?openform=request-a-tree or click here for a paper application or call/text 215-370-0099 for assistance in applying.

Turkeys & Stuffing, Greens, Beans, Corn, Mac & Cheese,Pies & Chocolates and more!!!

The AACDC and SKCP are grateful for the support of everyone that contributed to the success and bounty of Saturday's Turkey Giveaway

THANK YOU to all who donated via GoFundMe - special mention to Ellie Kriedie for setting it up! THANK YOU to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD), the office of Senator Nikil Saval, and to Cousins Supermarket for their generosity. THANK YOU to the volunteers who helped distribute/deliver and, of course, to all those who are preparing meals to share with family and friends.

The Renters’ Access Act (RAA) went into effect October 13, 2021!

The RAA defines when and how a landlord can use an applicant’s rental and credit history, for example, requiring landlords to provide screening criteria to all applicants and to provide a wholistic and individual review of applicants.

Information for tenants and landlords are available at Phillytenant.org and some highlights include:

• Landlords must inform applicants in writing when they deny an application.

• Landlords must provide a copy of any screening report used to make their decision.

• Landlords may no longer deny applications based on certain eviction cases.

• Tenant’s have the right to dispute the landlord’s decision and request reconsideration.

To learn more about your rights under the Renter’s Access Act, check out "What are my rights when applying for housing?" or review the flyer (with sample letter to landlord requesting reconsideration) in English or en Español.

PHDC has a few questions for Philadelphia homeowners...

• Is your Roof Leaking?

• Do you need emergency home repairs

• and can't afford to fix them?

Basic System Repair Program provides repairs to correct electrical, plumbing, heating, structural, and roofing emergencies in Philadelphia's eligible owner-occupied homes. Income guidelines do apply. To learn more and apply, click here.

• Is a permanent physical disability keeping you from moving freely in your home?

Adaptive Modifications Program is designed to help individuals with permanent physical disabilities live more independently in their homes. It provides adaptations to allow easier access to and mobility within the home. Incomes guidelines apply. For more details, click here.

PHDC is always trying to make Philly better block by block!
If you need help with repairs, we may be able to help!
Visit our websites or call 215-448-2160 and apply today!

Application for trees planted on your block

Applications are DUE BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH

Old/South Kensington Tree Tenders is taking applications now for trees to be planted in Spring '22.


If you would like to see trees planted on your block please let us know. You can fill out the form at https://pg-cloud.com/phs/?openform=request-a-tree or click here for a paper application or call/text 215-370-0099 for assistance in applying.

Help Gift Thanksgiving Turkeys to our Neighbors

Though food scarcity may have lessened in the past year, many of our neighbors are still struggling to put food on the table. With Thanksgiving approaching (and high prices for turkeys approaching with it), we want to lessen the burden. Last year, we asked for your help in raising money to gift Thanksgiving turkeys to 250 families in our community and this year, we are asking you to do the same.

Click here for your donation

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving,
Arab American Development Corps & South Kensington Community Partners

SKCP COMMUNITY ZONING MEETING (VIRTUAL)

SKCP's RCO will host a virtual Community Zoning Meeting [pdf] on Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 at 6:30 PM.

We will review the following projects:

6.30pm 1437 N Howard Street

7.00pm 1428 N Hope Street

We will have time for questions during the meeting but we ask that questions be submitted in advance, to rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org, so we can use our time well.

Please review the project, submit questions, and register here for the meeting.

If you prefer, you may also sign up by calling South Kensington Community Partners' office at215-427-3463 and leaving a message with your name and number. SKCP will provide reasonable accommodation to any neighbor that requests additional assistance with joining the meeting or otherwise submitting feedback on the projects.

Check out a vaccine clinic for children ages 12 & Up in your neighborhood!!

Keep It Green, Recycle Your Leaves

Help the City keep leaves out of the landfill. Collect, bag, and recycle your leaves.

The 2021 Philly Leaf Recycling Program runs Monday, November 8 through Saturday, December 18, 2021.
During the six-week program, a City recycling truck will be parked at American & Thompson Streets on Saturdays (except for the 13th and 27th) from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Residents can also drop bagged leaves off at the Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8 AM - 6 PM.

For drop-off details and leaf collection schedules
visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling or call 311.

Schedule for Flu Shot & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics @ Congreso

SKCP Community Zoning Meeting Virtual

SKCP's RCO will host a virtual Community Zoning Meeting [pdf] on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 at 6:30 PM.

We will review the following projects:

6.30pm 153 W Jefferson St (view project here)

7.00pm 527-37 Girard Av (view project here)

7.45pm 1643-51 N 6th Street (view project here)

8.30pm 1730-54 N 2nd Street (view project here)

We will have time for questions during the meeting but we ask that questions be submitted in advance, to rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org, so we can use our time well.

Please review the project, submit questions, and register here for the meeting.

If you prefer, you may also sign up by calling South Kensington Community Partners' office at215-427-3463 and leaving a message with your name and number. SKCP will provide reasonable accommodation to any neighbor that requests additional assistance with joining the meeting or otherwise submitting feedback on the projects.

Green City, Clean Waters celebration highlights!!

Thursday's Green City Clean Waters 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. It was a lovely evening. Congratulations to PWD and Water Woman!

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And the results of SKCP's Clean and Green Team with Apiary Studio's work to design and plant the first of the American Street bump our gardens. We look forward to growing this work along the corridor

View the team working below