Housing & Economic Development

For Sale Housing

OARC is creating opportunities for homeownership in West Oak Lane by acquiring and renovating vacant properties. These homes feature all new systems many of which are 'green' compliant and energy efficient – plumbing, heating, and electrical – as well as new roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, and alarm systems. OARC offers a one year warranty on these renovations. Typically, these homes will range in price from about $95,000 to $175,000, and vary in style, from single family homes to large duplex properties. Currently we have two properties in the 1300 block of Haines Street (1326 and 1362) that will eventually be sold to first-time homebuyers.

Funding for our affordable for-sale housing initiative is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and private lending institutions.

Rental Housing

OARC owns and operates close to 52 units of affordable rental housing, including one, two, and three bedroom apartments. These units, all with secured entrances, offer many amenities, including upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, and wall-to-wall carpeting. All units are cable-ready, and have laundry facilities on-site or within walking distance. All of our units are regularly refurbished, and we have a 24 hour on-call maintenance team to handle emergency repairs.

Funding for our affordable rental housing initiative is provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), as well as private lending institutions.

The Housing Counseling Program at West Oak Lane CDC

The West Oak Lane Community Development Corporation (WOLCDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of OARC, conducts a Housing Counseling Program that is certified and supported by the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD/City of Philadelphia). The agency is HUD certified and under contract with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to provide housing counseling services.  Funding for The Housing Counseling Program is provided by OHCD/City of Philadelphia, the PA Housing Finance Agency, and Sovereign Bank.

Counseling Services Provided

  • Pre-Purchase Workshops and One-on-One Sessions: Weekly workshops and One-on-One sessions for prospective homebuyers.
  • Post-Purchase Counseling: One-on-One sessions for current homeowners to discuss issues encountered after purchase, such as meeting mortgage payments, budgeting, money management and home maintenance.
  • Default and Delinquency: Mortgage Delinquency / Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), Real Estate Tax Delinquency (repayment plans and hardship agreements).
  • Foreclosure Prevention: Tools and assistance available to help prevent foreclosures (Loan Modification, Unique Refinance Products offered by the State of Pennsylvania and FHA).
  • Diversion Pilot Program: Participating in Conciliation Hearings provided by the Court of Common Pleas and the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office, giving homeowners a chance to receive housing counseling and negotiate with lenders for an affordable and sustainable mortgage that will allow them to retain homeownership.

Pre-Loan: Refinancing / Home Improvement Loans / Anti-Predatory Lending

Post-Loan: Predatory Lending Issues

Pre-Rental/Post-Rental

Landlord/Tenant Issues

Consumer Education

New ~ "Saving Homes/Saving Neighborhoods"
Located at 7300-02 Ogontz Avenue, the WOLCDC Housing Counseling Department is currently partnering with Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC), The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), Consumer Credit Counseling  Service of Delaware Valley (CCCS) and the Community Legal Services (CLS) on a campaign designed to help homeowners in West Oak Lane who may be in financial trouble and/or in pre-foreclosure, identify and utilize options available to them in order to avoid mortgage foreclosure.

Commercial Real Estate Acquisition, Development, and Leasing

OARC currently owns and manages more than 300,000 square feet of commercial space in West Oak Lane. Our strategy has been to utilize various funding sources to acquire and renovate commercial properties. We then seek out tenants that can offer a diverse mix of products and services to the community such as Amoco Gas Station/McDonald's Restaurant and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Licensing Center and more recently, Ogontz Realty and State Farm Insurance. We provide incentives to up-and-coming entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in West Oak Lane. The Art Noir Custom Framing and Gallery, Cornbread and Coffee, and Relish are prime examples. Our efforts have been successful in attracting other businesses to West Oak Lane as well including Weaver's Way Produce Market and KidZone Philadelphia.    

Partners in these economic development activities include a number of wholly-owned OARC subsidiaries, such as Main Development Group, Ogontz Plaza Associates, and Haines Eastburn Stenton Corporation. Funding for these projects has been provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the City of Philadelphia, and a number of public and private entities.

Commercial Revitalization

In July 2008, OARC received a $1.3 million grant from the City of Philadelphia Cultural and Commercial Corridors Fund and an additional $1.3 million matching grant from the Commonwealth of Pensylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the Ogontz Avenue Streetscape Project.  The goal here is to use these funds to create and retain jobs in the course of improving and strengthening the business environment with a focus on opportunities for minorities, women and people who are disabled.  This project will take place along the 7100 - 8000 blocks of Ogontz Avenue.  When completed, the businesses and residents in the area will benefit from new street lighting, new walkways, sidewalk benches and other improvements. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009. 

Wister Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Study

In 2007, OARC received a $72,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to fund a planning study for affordable housing and commercial development near SEPTA's Wister Train Station.  Kise Straw Kolodner (KSK), which has extensive experience in TOD projects and urban infill housing, was the consultant for the project.  Their work included market and real estate analysis, civil engineering and environmental analysis.  The study was completed in the spring of 2009.  Based on findings from the study, OARC will determine how to best serve the housing and economic development needs in the Wister neighborhood.