[RELEASE] Project HOME Unveils Renovated Kate’s Place, Pennsylvania’s Largest Supportive Housing Residence
Community Invited to Celebrate Next Chapter of Historic Building Offering Hope, Stability, and Community in Center City
Project HOME today hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completed renovations of Kate’s Place, a historic and deeply impactful supportive housing residence in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse neighborhood. For 20 years, Project HOME’s Kate’s Place has been a sanctuary of hope and stability for the Project HOME community, and today the building stands as the largest permanent supportive housing residence in the state of Pennsylvania.
As a site listed on the National Historic Registry, Kate’s Place holds both architectural and cultural significance. Today, Kate’s Place offers 144 efficiency apartments to individuals who have experienced homelessness, or at risk of housing insecurity, as well as low-to-moderate income residents who live and work nearby. Residents have access to on-site case management, healthcare coordination, education and employment support, and recovery support.
“Kate’s Place has long stood as a symbol of what’s possible when we prioritize dignity, community, and housing as a human right. These renovations not only preserve the historic legacy of this building but also reaffirm our commitment to the people who call it home,” said Donna Bullock, President and CEO of Project HOME. “We’re proud to commemorate this historic and important building of yesterday, today, and tomorrow and to shed a light on what can be done with the collective goal to end and prevent chronic street homelessness for good.”
About Kate’s Place Renovations
Renovations were completed without displacing current residents, thanks to a carefully managed floor-by-floor process and deep commitment to dignity and stability. Residents received help with packing, moving, and settling back in. The renovation also strengthened the ability for Kate’s Place to welcome residents with disabilities, adding nine fully accessible units and outfitting all apartments with grab bars and additional supports for safety and ease of mobility. The modernization project brings the building in line with PHFA design guidelines, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, and Enterprise Green Communities sustainability criteria, while honoring its historical character in accordance with Philadelphia Historic Commission regulations.
These renovations were made possible through transformational support of a group of public and private partners who believed this incredible resource was worth preserving. These partners include The William Penn Foundation, the Raynier Institute and Foundation, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Citizens Bank, RBC Community Investments, LLC, Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Office of Homeless Services, and countless others. This public / private model reflects the power of cross-sector partnerships to drive meaningful, lasting change in the affordable housing landscape.
“At Citizens, we believe that safe, affordable housing is the foundation for a strong, thriving Philadelphia,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, Mid Atlantic Market President, Citizens. “The revitalization of Kate’s Place will not only modernize the building but also enhance the quality of life for its residents. We’re honored to partner with Project HOPE and the Philadelphia Housing Authority to make this renovation possible and help ensure that residents have access to permanent housing and the critical supportive services they need to reach their full potential.”
About the History of Kate’s Place
Built in 1926 as Warburton House and listed on the National Historic Registry, the building has served the community in various capacities for nearly a century. It was used by the Emergency Aid of Philadelphia and then became a refuge for single women operated by the Dominican Sisters. In 2003, the Warburton House began admitting men and that year, the building was purchased and rehabbed by Project HOME. In 2005, Project HOME opened the building as Kate’s Place, bringing permanent supportive housing and critical supportive services together under one roof. The new renovations represent Project HOME’s ongoing commitment to its supportive housing program rooted in respect, dignity, and each resident’s unique pathway to reaching their fullest potential. Today the building is a national model for permanent supportive housing.
About Project HOME
Since 1989, Project HOME has empowered thousands of adults, children and families in Philadelphia to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing a continuum of care that addresses and alleviates the underlying causes of homelessness, including mental illness and substance use disorder. To accomplish its mission, Project HOME utilizes its comprehensive, nationally recognized HOME model – consisting of supportive housing, opportunities for employment, medical care, and education – coupled with street outreach, advocacy, behavioral health and recovery services. Project HOME and its partners have pledged to end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia. To learn more, visit www.projecthome.org.
