Budget Deal Includes $16.6 Million Evans Requested for 14 Philly Projects

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 21, 2022) – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) is welcoming a bipartisan budget agreement that includes $16,625,000 in federal funding that he requested for 14 Philadelphia community projects.

"I'm very pleased that the House-Senate agreement includes 14 of my specific funding requests for Philadelphia that would help with key local priorities such as affordable housing, job opportunities, mental health and crisis support, and access to fresh food," Evans said.

"There are many positive things in this budget package, and I look forward to voting for it. I hope the Senate will act quickly so that we can avoid a potential government shutdown on Friday night!"

Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia. As he did in 2021, he provided an open application period this year for organizations and agencies to submit requests for federal funding. Evans said this funding stream has numerous reforms in place, including barring for-profit companies from receiving the grants and several rules to ensure transparency, accountability and good use of the funding.

Evans' 14 requests included in the bill are:

Temple University/Philadelphia CeaseFire, $750,000: The project would provide mental health and crisis assistance to gun violence survivors and their families. Through this grant, Philly CeaseFire would offer prevention, intervention, and behavioral health services designed to meet the needs of individuals and families facing gun violence trauma. It would also work collaboratively to provide prompt support services.

Liberty Housing Development Corp., $2,000,000: This project would provide 31 affordable housing units, 15 of which would be dedicated to people with disabilities. It would help to further re-balance long-term services and supports by creating more affordable community-based living arrangements for people with disabilities.

Local Initiatives Support Corp., $2,000,000: The project would address the barriers many have faced working toward homeownership and sustaining their homes through a revolving loan fund for acquisition and predevelopment costs; and a grant fund for basic system repairs and other transaction costs that exceed an affordable sale price to first-time homebuyers.

Broad Street Ministry, $1,000,000: With these funds, Broad Street Ministry would perform badly needed interior renovations expanding disability accessibility to its lobby and the three doorways of its main entrance. With these renovations, the agency would be able to accommodate a larger number of people more hospitably and effectively and respond to the 20 percent increase in demand brought on by the pandemic.

The Enterprise Center, $2,500,000: The project would provide a source of fresh food in the form of a market, teaching kitchen and restaurant that would help revitalize the community, as well as provide art and retail space to maintain 52nd Street as a viable business corridor.

The Allegheny West Foundation, $1,000,000: The foundation, in partnership with New Courtland Elder Services, would build a large mixed-use development on a currently vacant former industrial site. The new site would have a total of 50 units of affordable housing for low-income seniors and a 25,000-square-foot ground-floor commercial space. Located within would be a 5,000-square-foot food distribution site to combat food insecurities in the Hunting Park neighborhood.

Beech Interplex, Inc., $1,000,000: The project would promote commerce on the Cecil B. Moore corridor by building a food market and local entrepreneurship incubator at 1905 Cecil B. Moore Ave. that would create jobs and educational opportunities for young community residents and foster local economic development. This location is currently classified as a food desert and the development at hand would become a food market and food court housing local businesses.

The Weavers Way Cooperative Fund, $1,500,000: The funding would help to open a full-service grocery store open to the public at 328 W. Chelten Ave. in Germantown. The site at this location requires substantial rehabilitation. The store would serve as an anchor business and a community center on a commercial corridor targeted for revitalization. The store would improve access to healthy and local foods in Germantown and surrounding neighborhoods, including to low-income residents.

Urban League of Philadelphia, $1,200,000: The project would allow the Urban League to acquire and rehabilitate a property in West Philadelphia to open a permanent satellite office in a high-traffic, public-transit accessible location. The satellite office would serve about 5,000 unique individuals per year and would be an extension of the league's direct services: HUD-certified housing counseling; financial literacy; first-time homebuyer workshops and eviction mediation; one-to-one job training and employment services; targeted violence prevention programs; health and wellness initiatives; support for small businesses; referrals and community resources; and general social services.

The Salvation Army, Greater Philadelphia Area, $750,000: This project would provide needed capital improvements to its Philadelphia West Corps Community Center, 5501 Market St. Planned repairs for the exterior of the building include lighting, new signage, improvements to the basketball courts, driveway and passage gates repairs, and repairs to a storm water drain. Planned interior repairs include improvements to the main entrance and reception area, computer room modernization, gymnasium repairs, food pantry expansion, and restroom improvements.

Sullivan Community Impact Center, $750,000: This center would address the economic challenges facing the residents of Nicetown-Tioga, which has experienced historic disinvestment and systemic barriers to opportunity. The center would serve as a hub for residents to access programs and services that would expand educational opportunities, increase entrepreneurship and employment, and improve health outcomes for individuals and families.

Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), $925,000: The agency plans to improve diversity within Philadelphia's skilled trades. ECA would train a total of 80 diverse, underserved 3rd District residents for high-demand occupations in weatherization and clean energy implementation. As part of the program, trainees would install heat pump water heaters in the homes of up to 65 underserved, minority families in the district, increasing the families' home safety and affordability.

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, $500,000: The organization increases educational opportunity by focusing on the development of both students and teachers. Through academic enrichment, Breakthrough prepares Philadelphia public school students to attend a wrap-around educational program at area college preparatory high-schools with the goal of providing students with the support and curriculum enrichment to attain college admissions.

Independence Historical Trust, $750,000: The project would aid in relocating the statue of Lenni Lenape leader Chief Tamanend and include upgrades to the pedestrian environment and open spaces surrounding the intersection of 2nd and Market streets. This would substantially improve the visitor experience within Philadelphia's historic core and help the city offer a world-class experience as Philadelphia prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation's birth.

Evans said the bill also includes significant funding for nationwide programs to fight poverty, which he will outline in the near future.

After the Senate passes this legislation, it will go to the House for a vote and then to the desk of President Biden, who supports the bill, for his signature. A detailed summary of the bill is available here.

During Evans' first five years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $25 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. His website is evans.house.gov and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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