St. Joes at Collingdale

St. Joseph Place is a landmark redevelopment project that transformed the historic, long-vacant St. Joseph Elementary School and Annex buildings in Collingdale, Delaware County, into 50 service-enriched, affordable one-bedroom apartments for seniors aged 62 and older. Developed by Catholic Housing & Community Services (CHCS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the project preserves historic character while meeting modern housing needs through sustainable, high-quality design.

The 61,193 square-foot development includes the adaptive reuse of two early-20th-century school buildings, connected by a newly constructed three-story addition that houses an elevator, office suite, trash compactor, and residential units. The entire project meets Enterprise Green Communities and Zero Energy Ready standards—ensuring long-term affordability through energy efficiency. Six units are fully accessible, and three units serve residents earning at or below 20% of AMI. Approximately 88% of the project qualified for federal historic tax credits.

The project is located in a transit-rich area with strong community support and access to nearby shopping, transit, and amenities. It fills a pressing need for senior housing in the region, where comparable developments operate at near full occupancy with long waitlists.

Stone Sherick Consulting Group’s Role

Stone Sherick Consulting Group (SSCG) played a central role in the success of St. Joseph Place.

As the project’s development consultant, SSCG:

• Structured and coordinated the project’s complex, multi-layered financing, including:
  • 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
  • Federal historic tax credits
  • Multiple public and private funding sources
• Prepared the investor offering and led negotiations to secure the best equity investment for the project.
• Led the financial closing process, working closely with all funding partners to ensure timely and compliant execution.
• Guided the project through historic preservation requirements, coordinating with architects and the development team to balance design and compliance.
• Advised on development strategy, feasibility, and community engagement to position the project for long-term sustainability.

SSCG’s involvement ensured that this complex redevelopment remained financially sound, historically appropriate, and aligned with CHCS’s mission to serve vulnerable seniors.

Today, St. Joseph Place stands as a model of adaptive reuse, green design, and dignified aging, made possible through the strategic leadership and technical expertise of Stone Sherick Consulting Group.