Grand Opening of 65 Units and the Celebration of Philadelphia’s First-Ever Sidewalk Stamping An Event Where Art Meets Affordable Housing!

WHAT: The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) celebrates the ribbon-cutting of 65 affordable housing units in the Sharswood Community located in North Philadelphia. This is a part of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative. This event also marks the unveiling of Philadelphia's first-ever sidewalk poetry project, featuring poetry stamps embedded in the sidewalks of the Sharswood neighborhood. 63 of the development's 65 units are new. The sidewalk poetry is a unique public art installation that combines creative expression with community engagement.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 2:00 PM

WHERE: 23rd & Harlan Streets, Philadelphia, PA

WHO:
· Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President & CEO, Philadelphia Housing Authority
· Lynette M. Brown-Sow, Board Chair, Philadelphia Housing Authority
· Joe DeFelice, HUD Regional Administrator
· Sharif Street, State Senator · Jeffery Young, Councilmember
· Jane Golden, Executive Director, Mural Arts
· Darnetta Harce, Executive Director, Lower North Philadelphia CDC

DETAILS:
The Sharswood 65 development, launched in November 2023, will provide a variety of affordable housing options, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, four-bedroom, and one five-bedroom unit. In addition to the housing, Sharswood 65 features six sidewalk poetry stamps, marking the city's first-ever sidewalk poetry project. This innovative public art initiative, developed in partnership with Mural Arts, will feature poems by local poets, offering an artistic and meaningful experience for residents and visitors alike.

The sidewalk poetry project began as part of the Blumberg-Sharswood Choice Neighborhood Initiative and aims to create an engaging and culturally rich environment for the community. Over the coming months, more poetry stamps will be added to other areas of Sharswood and surrounding neighborhoods, making this a citywide celebration of art and community.