Raymond Rosen Manor Waste & Recycling Infrastructure Project, Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is the fourth largest public housing authority in the United States, providing safe and affordable homes to over 80,000 low-income residents across Philadelphia. Since its establishment in 1937, PHA has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s housing landscape and continues to invest in revitalisation projects to enhance quality of life for residents and strengthen neighbourhoods.
The Raymond Rosen Housing site is one of PHA’s largest and oldest housing developments. Located in North Philadelphia, the site comprises 552 low-rise housing units designed with families in mind, ranging from two to five bedrooms.
The development has undergone extensive renovation over the years, with recent phases delivering interior and exterior upgrades including new roofing, lighting, heating systems and the addition of 152 townhouse-style homes; the Raymond Rosen Apartments. This high-density layout, with large internal courtyards and extensive green space, makes waste management a complex challenge and a critical one to get right for the community’s long-term wellbeing.
Prior to intervention, the Raymond Rosen Apartments faced severe waste management issues. Residents were placing household waste at roadside access points throughout the week despite City collection occurring only twice. The result was persistent build-up, littering and heavy illegal dumping, particularly around the perimeter. Much of the maintenance team’s time was spent clearing waste from these hotspots. The development lacked proper containerization; there were no designated, secure collection points within the courtyards and previous attempts using another waste unit supplier had failed due to a lack of servicing.
Dumpsters had also been trialled but were quickly overwhelmed by use from non-residents. Recycling participation was virtually non-existent, in part due to the absence of infrastructure to support it. Without clear containment or collection points, the situation had become unsustainable.
In partnership with PHA, metroSTOR delivered a bespoke solution to restore control and improve hygiene across the site. The strategy focused on internalizing waste management within the site footprint to minimize external dumping, introducing secure and clearly marked enclosures and increasing overall capacity while supporting future recycling efforts.
The installation at the Raymond Rosen Apartments included:
The enclosures were positioned in internal green areas between the buildings where feasible, with some placed at outer access points as needed. Each unit features secure, rodent-proof containment and clear signage, helping to deter misuse and guide residents in proper waste separation.
Even in the short term, the benefits have been clear. Dumping hotspots have been reduced and the site is visibly cleaner. Residents now have easy access to clearly designated waste points that are compatible with City collection schedules. With containerized infrastructure in place, PHA can begin to lay the groundwork for a functioning recycling system at the property.
The metroSTOR approach has also helped shift staff focus away from reactive waste clearance towards proactive site management. Crucially, the infrastructure design allows for mechanical emptying, an important factor for on-site teams looking to streamline operations.
The transformation at the Raymond Rosen Apartments demonstrates how strategic waste infrastructure can address some of the toughest challenges faced in public housing today. As PHA continues to develop its approach to estate management and sustainability, having access to durable, resident-focused solutions like metroSTOR will be central to long-term success.
The collaboration at Raymond Rosen sets the stage for future improvements across PHA’s portfolio, providing a model that’s not only scalable, but aligned with procurement efficiency, operational ease and community wellbeing.