As a youngster, Dwight Upshaw spent hours learning in the classrooms of John F. Reynolds Elementary School in North Philadelphia. Decades later, the Air Force veteran who trained with Special Forces as a jumper became one of the first residents at the same location, a century-old building now known as Brigadier General Hazel Johnson Brown Veterans Center at HELP Philadelphia VI.
"It is strange living in the same place where I attended elementary school," he said. "But I am happy to live here now. I have a piece of security, a place where I feel comfortable and call home. It's a good feeling."
In 2022, the renovations to the former school building were completed, creating 55 apartments for low-income veterans and seniors, and people with disabilities.
This housing project was financed with support from TD Bank, in relationship with HELP Development Corp., a non-profit developer with a long history of building affordable and supportive housing. TD Bank provided an $11 million construction loan for the project. The bank also purchased Low Income Housing Tax Credits of $11.4 million and provided $3.2 million of Historic Tax Credit Equity.
This was the fifth project that TD and HELP Development Corp. collaborated on in Philadelphia, and most included housing for low-income veterans.
"TD Bank has been the tax credit investor and construction lender on most of our veteran projects," said David Cleghorn, President of HELP Development Corp. "When challenges come up, TD has always helped us find solutions. They know how much it matters."
For TD Bank, projects like these are not only investments but a way to help make individual lives better.
"It's the most fulfilling work you can do in the business," said Matthew Schatz, Market Leader, Commercial Real Estate, TD Bank, who worked on the North Philadelphia project and other veteran projects over the years. "There's no chance for anyone to have a successful life without a home. Each one of these projects changes lives. Every door has a story behind it. I am proud that we are able to help veterans live better lives."
TD is continuing its important work in helping to provide veterans with opportunities to live in safe, affordable housing. For example, the bank is working with Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) in Winchendon, Massachusetts to transform the former Streeter and Poland School buildings into 44 supportive, low-income apartments for veterans.
"The mission is clear: to ensure everyone has a place to call home," said Keith D. Nisbet, Head of the Community Capital Group, TD Bank. "This work matters deeply to me. We’re not just financing projects; we’re helping build stronger communities for veterans.
Building better futures for those who served
In the late 2000s, the U.S. saw a sharp rise homelessness among veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Federal programs, such as HUD-VASH, a collaboration between the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, have helped provide rental assistance and social services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
HELP Development, founded in 1996, to serve people without housing, had the necessary experience to take a lead on many of these projects, including in Philadelphia. With TD Bank as both a construction lender and equity investor, HELP developed a series of supporting housing communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington D.C., setting aside a portion of units specifically for veterans.
Unlike many types of similar projects, supportive housing offers on-site social services that help residents maintain financial and health stability. Case managers help residents with everything from managing finances and maintaining their apartments to accessing mental health care and employment programs.
Philadelphia has made significant progress in housing its veterans, reaching what city and federal officials said was a functional end to veteran homelessness. That means most chronically homeless veterans are now housed, as a direct result of programs like these, according to David.
However, the demand for veteran housing projects remains as factors such as economic slowdowns and inflation, a persistent shortage of available housing and other circumstances can affect future military personnel leaving the service.
Even with the challenges, David and others are inspired every time they see the impact that these housing projects have on individuals.
"It's been incredible to see how stable housing transforms lives," David said. "You never fully end homelessness. But when you see people [who were] on the street now reunited with family, finding jobs and thriving, it's everything. That's why we continue to do this work.”
Sidney Claybourne is one of those people whose life was transformed. He was one of the first residents of the North Philadelphia center, when he relocated three years ago. He worked for the post office after his Army career ended and took up his passion for painting at the age of 55. But then Sideny lost his family home due to an unpaid high utility bill. He was able to find temporary housing but didn't feel he had a home until he moved into the center.
"It's a respectful community, where I can live in peace," Sidney said. "That's it in a nutshell."
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