To help address the Philadelphia region’s persistent and growing need for affordable housing, especially for a population that is growing older and cannot always afford to age in place, Federation Housing Inc. broke ground on a new affordable senior living community in Bucks County, earlier this month.
Federation Housing, a non-profit that provides much needed affordable housing communities and services that empower low-and-moderate income seniors to live independently, joined with state and local officials and community supporters on Friday, July 12, to celebrate the groundbreaking of its newest senior community named the Daniel B. Green House, at 4695 Somerton Road in Trevose, Bensalem Township.
The 60-unit senior living community provides housing for individuals who meet low-income housing requirements, allowing older adults to remain close to family, friends, and neighborhood staples without fear of being priced out of their community.
“The senior population is an important part of any community and deserves the dignity to age in place, regardless of how much money they have in the bank,” said Eric D. Naftulin, Executive Vice President of Federation Housing. “Unfortunately, even in middle-class and wealthier communities within Bucks County, the affordable housing crisis is present and only getting worse.
Eric Naftulin
Executive Vice President Federation Housing
“With the addition of the Daniel B. Green House, Federation Housing is proud to expand access to affordable, high-quality housing and enrich its relationship with the greater Trevose community.”
Naftulin was joined by several speakers including Bucks County Commissioner Robert J. Harvie Jr., Bensalem Township Council President Edward Kisselback, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s CEO Robin Wiessmann, Federation Housing Board Member Richard J. Green, and Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s President Michael Markman.
“It is important for all the different pieces of funding and partnerships to come together to provide affordable housing,” said Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. “Federation Housing has a terrific track record of doing it well and helping to get people into affordable units.”
“The senior population is one of the fastest growing segments of our population in Bucks County,” said Commissioner Robert J. Harvie Jr., Board Vice Chair, Bucks County Commissioners. “It is a challenge to find affordable housing throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, and we are really excited to have this development moving forward. “It is a great example of a private public partnership doing good things in Bucks County.”
“This is a combination of federal, state and local groups working together to make this development happen,” said Council President Edward Kisselback, Bensalem Township. “This is a project of faith and love, and Federation Housing is providing a safety net for our seniors.”
The community is named for Daniel B. Green, the late Chairman of Firstrust Bank, local philanthropist and one of the original Board members of Federation Housing dating back to 1977. It will share property space with the Florence E. Green House –– an existing senior living community owned and operated by Federation Housing for more than a decade.
“My father’s lifelong commitment to community service has left an enduring mark,” said Richard J. Green, Executive Chairman and Owner of Firstrust Bank and Federation Housing Board Member. “He was dedicated to Federation Housing and its mission, and I know he would feel honored to be the namesake of this new community that will provide much-needed affordable housing for seniors. Having recognition of my parents’ legacies side-by-side with the Florence E. Green House and the Daniel B. Green House in Trevose is something I will forever cherish, and I’m excited to see their lasting impact on the community.”
In Bucks County, existing options for affordable housing are lagging. According to the 2023 Bucks County Housing Needs Snapshot report from Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, “there is a critical shortage of affordable homes in Bucks County” and that “for every 100 extremely low-income individuals in Bucks County, only 31 affordable rental homes are available to them.”
The County is also in a five-way tie for the state’s highest housing wage at $33.40 an hour. For those looking to own, the average Bucks home price is more than double Pennsylvania’s median home value.
Credit: Lower Bucks Source
“At Firstrust Bank, we recognize the urgent need for affordable housing solutions, especially in our Greater Philadelphia communities,” said Tim Abell, CEO and President of Firstrust Bank. “The Daniel B. Green House will help to fill a critical gap in housing availability for seniors in Bucks County. It is a privilege to provide the financing for its development, which will make a difference for the community and honor the memory of Firstrust’s former leader.”
In addition to the Daniel B. Green House, Federation Housing has developed, built, and currently manages 12 senior-living communities, serving more than 1,500 residents who meet the income qualifications and rent levels. Federation Housing acknowledges that even in large, wealthy counties, the affordable housing crisis is present and only getting worse.
“The amount of work that goes into these developments is incredible and Federation Housing does it again and again,” said Michael Markman, Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “These projects go a long way to helping the housing insecurity in this region.”
In addition to developing and managing affordable senior living, Federation Housing provides its communities with many programs and services for its residents including social services, free van transportation, meal programs, housekeeping services, religious activities, socialization services, recreational activities and many others.
Credit: DeZen Graphics
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