Blue Ribbon Finalist: Camino De Oro Senior Housing, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha

The Lack of affordable rental housing for seniors is felt deeply in Philadelphia and the surrounding metropolitan area. Seniors reside in either over crowed conditions with family members, homes that are too large to maintain, or are without housing. It’s a cross too big to carry for this vulnerable population. Although Camino De Oro provides a safe haven for the many seniors in need, it is just a small Band-Aid placed on a large-scale issue. Community Driven planning is a key element to APM’s success.

Camino De Oro is a 44-unit Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) affordable Senior Housing Facility serving seniors 62 year of age and over. It’s a shining example of community vision and an important commitment for APM to expanding on healthy building initiative. The utilization of innovative green practices led the building to be certified as a Passive Senior Housing. Camino De Oro continues the legacy of Paseo Verde, APM’s LEED Platinum mixed use development. Through a senior housing development initiative, Camino De Oro will link all ages through intergenerational activities. The community room will host workshops and events not only for the residents, but for the entire community. There will be opportunities for gardening, exercise programs, nutrition workshops, and other activities. APM in partnership with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Temple University School of Medicine and the Senior Center will ensure that tenants access the benefits of these partnerships.

Elon Affordable Housing, LLC (Elon) is a Minority Owned Business and an affiliate of the Altman Group of Companies. Elon is a result of succession planning that will lead a new generation of growth and pursuit of development opportunities. Francis Vargas is President and majority shareholder of Elon and is the lead point of contact for development opportunities. Brett Altman and Robert Bluth who are principals in the other affiliated Altman Group entities are partners and investors in Elon. Together they have extensive experience in all aspects of affordable housing, including the use of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic Tax Credits, CDBG, HOME, HUD, PHFA and private equity financing. Elon has developed numerous projects in the Southeastern PA area.

Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) has been serving Eastern North Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan area for the past 54 years by providing family services including APM's Community Umbrella Program ; Early Childhood Education; Foster Care/Adoption programs; Health services including Behavioral health services; drug and alcohol treatment; The Violence Intervention and Prevention program; APM General Case Management Services and Supportive Services. Complementing these services is APM's Community and Economic Development division providing Housing Counseling, financial literacy, soft skill workforce development, property management and APM's Neighborhood NAC program.

PACDC congratulates Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha on being recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Blue Ribbon for Community Development Excellence.