Fattah Joins Philadelphia Community to Open Queen Lane Apartments

WASHINGTON – December 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) joined with members of the Philadelphia community and the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) to celebrate the grand opening of the new Queen Lane Apartments in Germantown.

The new $22 million affordable housing complex was built with federal funding and tax credits that Congressman Fattah helped secure from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The development includes a mix of two- and three-story apartments and townhouses.

“It is a monumental day for Germantown. I’m proud to have been a part of this housing redevelopment at every stage—from securing the initial funds, to the demolition, groundbreaking, and finally, today’s ribbon cutting ceremonies,” Congressman Fattah said. “The Queen Lane development represents important progress for the neighborhood, and a new beginning for the residents who will now call this beautiful apartment complex home. I’m excited to help usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for what has long been a historic site in this community.”

Twenty-five years ago, as a state senator, Fattah called for a revamp of the existing Philadelphia public housing, which suffered from overcrowding, blight, and dangerous conditions for its residents. Though it drew heavy criticism at the time, his proposal slowly gained traction around the country. Ultimately Fattah’s plan helped inform HUD’s HOPE VI program which worked to change the physical shape of public housing throughout the United States, and catalyzed improvements in the Philadelphia community.

The Queen Lane high-rise was demolished in 2014 and was the 23rd building imploded by the Philadelphia Housing Authority as public housing has moved away from high-rise apartments into mixed-use and low-density developments.