LeSean McCoy now tackling PA’s affordable housing crisis
(BVM) – Former NFL player LeSean McCoy has broken ground on his $16.7 million affordable housing community project in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
McCoy’s hometown of Harrisburg isn’t too far from where he once broke records as the Philadelphia Eagles’ all-time leader in rushing yards (6,792). The former NFL six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion is now aiming ever higher – turning his attention to creating safe and accessible living environments for families and children.
This past week, LeSean McCoy broke ground on a new $16.7 million affordable housing community in his hometown, Harrisburg PA.
‘JMB Gardens’ is named after McCoy’s grandparents. pic.twitter.com/DHZOMx6c0M
— The4thQuarterTV (@4thQuarterTV_) March 11, 2024
J.M.B. Gardens (named after McCoy’s grandparents) is being developed by McCoy’s real estate firm, Vice Capital Group, a partner of Crazy Work Construction. The 41-unit affordable townhome complex will be in the City of Harrisburg’s Uptown neighborhood (on the corner of 6th and Emerald Streets).
What J.M.B. Gardens will feature:
- Five units will be targeted for tenants earning up to 20% area median income (AMI)
- One unit will be for a tenant earning 30% AMI
- 15 units will be designated to those earning up to 50% AMI
- 20 units will be allocated for people earning up to 60% AMI
- Six of the said units will be designed for ADA accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- One of the said units will be available for anyone with hearing and/or vision impairments.
- A community center
“We’ll also have a community space [with] computers, laptops and different services to teach different skills,” McCoy said. “A lot of [the lots have] been there for 30 to 40 years. Empty spaces, empty lots – and now we’re developing them.”
McCoy will certainly leave a positive impact on low-income renters who are grappling with the affordable housing crisis. In Pennsylvania alone, there are only 38 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
J.M.B. Gardens is expected to open in mid-2025.
“I stand truly to giving back to my community and providing opportunities for my people,” McCoy wrote on Instagram last week. “What’s a legend without a true purpose? I promise to be that role model for the next generation.”
