In Phila., New Homes for Disabled Go Into Service

The Philadelphia Housing Authority today turned over the keys to newly renovated rowhomes to two disabled Philadelphia residents.

KYW's Mark Abrams reports that Housing Authority chief Carl Greene (above, far left) handed keys to renovated homes to Steven Quarles and Marshall Gibson during ceremonies in the 2100 block of North Gratz Street in North Philadelphia.

Both men are confined to wheelchairs and needed special accommodations to their living space.

For Quarles, 38 (right), who grew up in West Philadelphia and was paralyzed by a 1995 drive-by shooting, it was a dream come true:

"It's a blessing, that's all. All I've been through, man, I just...  It's a blessing, that's all I can say."

For Gibson, 54 (top photo), disabled by a stroke and heart attack in recent years, having his own place near the neighborhood in which he grew up is uplifting:

"You know, I just feel so good inside."

The Housing Authority is working on renovating 74 homes and apartments in the coming months for the disabled and wheelchair-bound throughout the city.

(Photos by KYW's Mark Abrams)