APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
FOR TAX CREDIT ALLOCATION TO RENOVATE THE FORMER HIGH SCHOOL SITE

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Secretariat for Catholic Human Services has submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) for a 12 million dollar tax credit allocation to renovate the former St. John Neumann High School. Additional funding for renovations will come from the City of Philadelphia. St. John Neumann Place (SJNP) would be an affordable, independent living residence for seniors 62 years and older. This proposal would involve conversion and substantial rehabilitation of the former high school at 26th and Moore Streets. The renovations include demolition of the school gym and auditorium and the priory. The remaining classroom area would be converted into the senior residence.

St. John Neumann Place
The residence will provide 75 one bedroom apartments with an average range of 650 to 700 square feet. Each apartment will be air conditioned. The building will include community rooms, a worship space and space for the provision of supportive services, which will be provided by Catholic Health Care Services. Parking and green areas within the site grounds will be available. The LIFE program of St. Agnes Continuing Care Center will partner with Catholic Health Care services in offering additional services to eligible and in need residents with assistance in daily living activities.

Seniors whose incomes range from 40% to 60% of area median income, currently approximately $19,280 to $29,280 gross annually, would be eligible for the units. The operations of the facility would not be subsidized, but would be funded by rental income. Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will oversee the operations of St. John Neumann Place.

A full development team created the plan submitted to PHFA, including Blackney Hayes Architects; Domus, Inc., General Contractor; Vollmer/Barton & Martin, Civil Engineering; Anderson Consulting, Environmental Testing; The Ludwig Corporation, Market Analysts and Appraiser; Altman Group, Property Management; and Diamond & Associates, Development Consultant. The tax credit allocations will be announced at PHFA's September 2005 Board Meeting. If SJNP receives the necessary funding from these sources, closing and construction commencement is projected for early 2006 with completion and occupancy in early 2007.

Background
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has made a concerted effort to engage the community during this process. The South Philadelphia community was surveyed during the summer of 2004. A total of 473 surveys were received-202 from the area around the site and 271 from other South Philadelphia neighborhoods. Eighty-six percent of respondents support using the site to provide housing for older adults, operated by the Archdiocese, and available to the general public. In the immediate area surrounding the site, support was higher at 89%. Seven percent opposed the proposed reuse, and 8% did not indicate outright support or opposition. When asked about their own household's needs, 69% of respondents indicated that their household would benefit from the proposed development of housing for older adults.

Seven small neighborhood meetings were held during October and November 2004 to seek community input into the process. On February 22, 2005 a large community meeting was held in the auditorium of the former high school; one hundred neighbors heard about the plans for the site from members of the development team.

Editor's Note: Saint John Neumann High School was founded in September 1934 as Southeast Catholic High School. The school's name was changed to Bishop Neumann in 1955 and Saint John Neumann in 1978.

In September 2003, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua accepted a recommendation to consolidate St. John Neumann High School and St. Marie Goretti High School at the end of the 2003-004 school year. The recommendation was forwarded by the Secretary for Catholic Education based upon the work of a Steering Committee and its recommendation for consolidation.

The consolidated Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School opened at the site of the former St. Maria Goretti High School for Girls in September 2005.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747