The Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) is dedicated to carefully designing homes to meet the needs of low-income women and their families. When designing Lillia Crippen Townhomes in Philadelphia, WCRP included residents and neighbors in the process to guarantee the homes would meet the real-life needs of women and families who would call Lillia Crippen home.

One need was for mothers to be able to keep an eye on their children playing outside while they tended to household duties. This is why a majority of kitchen windows face an outdoor patio. Additionally, floor plans are spacious and family-oriented, and all include a washer and dryer. Many units are wheelchair accessible as well.

According to WCRP, “We work hard to construct well-designed, innovative places to live, overcoming any obstacle to ensure that the production and quality of our desperately needed housing is never compromised.”

Lillia Crippen consists of 46 townhomes – 14 two-bedroom, 28 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom.

Community Lenders worked with WCRP to provide long-term financing for capital improvements and energy efficient enhancements. This allowed the affordable housing units to be refinanced to preserve long-term affordability in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.

WCRP builds and operates affordable housing developments like Lillia Crippen from start to finish. This includes finding the sites, designing the houses, raising the money, and managing construction. Most importantly, WCRP ensures that the women and families who live there become part of a strong and vibrant community.