Mission First Housing Group is committed to ensuring that green building features such as upgraded heating, cooling and ventilation systems, high efficiency lighting, low or no VOC materials and ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures are incorporated and maintained in the properties we develop and manage. This commitment to green building is not only good for the environment, but also good for the health of our residents and decreases their energy costs.

Many of Mission First’s properties are built to meet Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, a cost-effective framework for developing green, affordable housing. The goal of this framework is to bring the improved health, economic and environmental benefits of sustainable construction practices to the communities we serve. Mission First is also proud to have developed three LEED^® certified projects – two of our projects have achieved LEED^® Gold status, and one has achieved LEED^® Platinum status.

This year, Mission First has partnered with Housing Sustainability Advisors, led by Jared Lang, to add solar panels to some of our existing housing stock. As part of the project, we can take advantage of federal and local tax credits to provide maximum benefits to support the properties. Through a Power Purchase Agreement with the solar company, Mission First pays a discounted rate for solar power rather than traditional energy. There is no cost to Mission First or its residents for the installation or maintenance of the panels or service, just savings.

Golden Rule Plaza in Washington, DC and The Lewis Apartments in Suitland, MD were the first of the properties to add solar as part of this initiative earlier this year. We are finishing work on The SeVerna and SeVerna on K and starting soon on Golden Rule Apartments, all in Washington, DC with work expected to be completed in the fall. This initiative will reduce our annual common area energy bills and allow us to support overall rising operational property costs as well as put the savings into additional improvements at the properties.

“With the country facing rising energy costs, this solar project will help stabilize operational expenses for over 600 units in our portfolio and allow us to invest those funds back in our residents and their communities,” said Mission First’s Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Sarah Constant.

Mission First is also evaluating properties in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to begin later this year as part of Phase 2 of the project. Our plan includes adding solar panels to Sassafras Terrace in Mt. Joy, PA, Hudson Park Towers and Princess Street Apartments in York, PA, Apartments at New Market West in Philadelphia and Amandla Crossing and Imani Park in Edison, NJ, as well as our Baltimore portfolio.

Prior to this initiative, Mission First installed new solar panels at Walnut Hill West in Philadelphia and Dahlgreen Court Apartments, Trinity Plaza and House of Lebanon in Washington, DC.

When this work is complete, we will have nearly 20 properties serving more than 1,000 residents with solar powered energy.

On May 5th, Mission First’s Chief Executive Officer Thomas Queenan sat on a panel as part of Philly Tech Week at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). The panel, “From Pilot to Platform: Inside the West Philadelphia Broadband Coalition,” was moderated by Brigitte Daniel Corbin from Wilco Electronic Systems, and included Moe Rahman from CCP, Natalie Wiltshire from KIPP Philadelphia, Ryan Hodson from PCs For People, Anthony Maher from University Place Associates and Pam Andrews from the West Powelton Registered Community Organization.

The session fostered a great conversation of how community organizations, such as Mission First, came together in the wake of the COVD-19 Pandemic to work on a solution to close the digital equity gap in West Philadelphia.

Last September, Mission First celebrated the installation of one of three 5G antenna towers at New Market West as part of the West Philadelphia NTIA Network program. Along with the installation of the tower, eligible residents in Haddington, Walnut Hill, Haverford North, West Powelton and University City neighborhoods received free high-speed internet for two years, along with a free laptop, modem and digital literacy training. This initiative is fully funded through a nearly $3 million grant to CCP by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications, and Information Administration (NTIA).

This effort goes beyond simply providing access; it empowers residents to take control of their futures through education and career development. It also aligns with our overarching mission to support residents and strengthen communities..

Mission First Housing Group has developed a great new partnership with Philadelphia Technician Training Institute (PTTI). PTTI believes in the need for youth to receive a technology-driven education so that they can secure great technical careers and eventually give direction to their lives. This aligns strongly with Mission First’s vision to strengthen communities, so this partnership not only helps fill the roles we have as a company but also fosters employment for our neighbors.

The trade programs at PTTI focus on hands-on training with a contemporary and industry-relevant curriculum. PTTI encourages high expectations for success through development-appropriate technical education that allows for individual differences and learning styles to acquire technology skills and secure long-term employment in diverse industries.

In April, our team attended a Job Fair and spoke to PTTI’s current students and recent graduates about opportunities to work with Mission First, and we have had success hiring several of their talented students in our Maintenance Department.

We look forward to building on to the relationship and continuing this collaboration.

Thank you to the nearly 100 friends, partners and service providers of Mission First who attended our Building Home fundraising event on Wednesday, May 20th at District Winery in Washington, DC. It was a warm evening in DC, both in the temperature and in the feeling in the room, as guests networked and enjoyed cocktails and light fare for a wonderful night of celebration.

As part of a brief program, Platinum Sponsor Insurance Office of America’s Tim Skwiat welcomed our guests and talked about our decades’ long relationship. Mission First’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Queenan, addressed the crowd providing an update on how we have built on our leadership, board and vision in the last year. Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Sarah Constant provided updates on our Real Estate Development work and the challenges we have been facing in DC. Senior Vice President of Fundraising & Communications and Resident Services Lead Moira Rooney shared highlights of our partnerships with DC/Maryland Resident Services and thanked our high-level sponsors.

Click here for photos from the event! 

Building Home, along with our companion fall event in Philadelphia, Welcome Home, brings in unrestricted fundraising dollars to provide housing and services for our residents across the portfolio.

Thank you to our event sponsors for Building Home. Click here to see our supporters.

SAVE THE DATE: Welcome Home is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Tickets go on sale in August, but sponsorships are available now at www.missionfirsthousing.org/welcomehome.