In Philadelphia, the dmhFund and Pennrose Properties broke ground Nov. 9 on the John C. Anderson Apartments, the nation's first urban LGBT-friendly, low-income senior housing, according to Business Wire.
Anderson was a Philadelphia City Council member from 1979 until his death in 1983, and was instrumental in the passage of the city's civil-rights bill for sexual minorities. Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who credits Anderson as his mentor, unveiled the building's official name at the ceremony.
Financing for the $19.5-million project was provided through a Philadelphia HOME grant, Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds and low-income housing tax credits. Pennrose Properties is overseeing the project. Gay-rights activist and Philadelphia Gay News Executive Editor Mark Segal is spearheading the project.
Located at 249 S. 13th St.in the heart of Philadelphia's gayborhoodthe six-story residence will have 56 one-bedroom units, each with oversized windows.
Pictured: From left: U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, union boss John Dougherty, Philadelphia Gay News Publisher Mark Segal, Mayor Michael Nutter and City Councilman Mark Squilla at the groundbreaking in Philadelphia. Photo by Patrick Hagerty for Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.