Project HOME is celebrating a major milestone.
Since 1989, the venerable nonprofit has created more than 1,000 units of affordable housing in Philadelphia. The Inn of Amazing Mercy, a 62-bed facility in the heart of Kensington, put the organization over the top.
“This building is a beacon of equity, love, community. It fosters neighborhood improvements, and human dignity, and wholeness,” said Sister Mary Scullion, outgoing executive director of Project HOME, during a Thursday ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $27 million revamp.
The mid-rise building dates back to 1900 and sits on the Episcopal Campus of Temple University Hospital off East Huntingdon Street. A total of 12 beds will provide short-term housing and recovery services to people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. Residents will be provided medication-assisted treatment, case management, and peer support.
The remaining beds are dedicated to permanent supportive housing, which offers people services and subsidized rent for an unlimited time as long as they are earning enough each month. At the Inn of Amazing Mercy, residents will be offered employment and education services, including on-the-job coaching and assistance securing certifications. The list includes forklift, ServSafe, and customer service training.