Success Stories
AHP Gives Philadelphia Families a Place to Call Home
In 2015, FHLBank member Customers Bank began partnering with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia to create affordable homes in Philadelphia.Together, the two organizations have accessed more than $1.9 million in FHLBank Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to help support 22 new homes in previously vacant and blighted areas of the city.
Five of the homes were built in Hope Village, located in the neighborhood of Sharswood, using sustainable construction methods. The remaining energy-efficient homes are being built in Diamond Park in Lower North Philadelphia. All homeowners invest time and effort to assist in the construction process. AHP provides additional funding to housing projects that need it most. "Our partnership with Customers Bank allows us to serve more Philadelphians by giving us access to AHP," said Carrie Rathmann, the Habitat chapter’s Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Joseph Schupp, Customers' Senior Vice President and Community Development Officer, believes AHP is a win-win for the bank and the city. "Our goal was to help get funding back into the community," he said, “and these housing projects would not have been possible without AHP."