PHILADELPHIA, PA — Mayor Cherelle Parker joined city leaders, community members, and development partner Civetta Property Group on Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Turner Street, marking a major milestone in Philadelphia’s Turn the Key initiative. The program aims to provide affordable housing solutions for working and middle-class families, addressing the city’s rising home prices.
Standing before a newly constructed home, Mayor Parker remarked, “I get giddy every time we celebrate a ribbon cutting for Turn the Key. It’s easy to point out problems, but real change comes from being willing to take risks and create solutions. Turn the Key is making homeownership accessible for the hardworking people of our city—those who have often been forgotten in the middle.”
Making Homeownership a Reality
Turn the Key, a workforce housing initiative, offers a path to affordable homeownership with mortgage payments averaging $1,350 per month and up to $75,000 in homebuyer assistance. Civetta Property Group, a key partner in the effort, has completed 135 homes under the program, with an additional 75 units currently under construction.
Civetta co-founder Brennan Tomasetti shared a moving anecdote during the event about a healthcare worker who became a homeowner through the program. “I grabbed this woman and hugged her so hard—we were both in tears,” Tomasetti recounted. “It was such an incredible moment, and it reinforced why this program matters. It’s truly changing lives and making homeownership possible for people who never thought it was within reach.”
Tomasetti expressed her gratitude to the Civetta team, the Philadelphia Land Bank, and Mayor Parker, emphasizing the collaboration that made the initiative a success.
Mission 30,000: Philadelphia’s Housing Vision
Mayor Parker also highlighted her ambitious Mission 30,000 plan, aiming to build and preserve 30,000 units of affordable housing across the city. “Philadelphia’s working residents deserve the opportunity to own a safe, beautiful, and affordable home,” Parker stated. “With programs like Turn the Key, we are making this a reality. Homeownership isn’t just about housing—it’s about building stability, equity, and opportunity for our communities.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Councilmembers Jeffery Young Jr. and Kendra Brooks, Philadelphia Land Bank Executive Director Angel Rodriguez, and Turn the Key homeowner Shakeda Gaines, all of whom emphasized the transformational impact of the initiative.
With its focus on affordable housing and community-building, Turn the Key represents a critical step toward addressing housing challenges in Philadelphia while helping families achieve the dream of homeownership.
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