The Chester Houses

Highways through communities, up close

If you’ve ever driven the segment of I-95 between Philadelphia and Wilmington, you’ve driven through Chester, one of the poorest communities in Pennsylvania, just south of Philly. Crime is high. Home prices are very low, sinking as low as $30,000 for vacant or dilapidated properties.

For as long as I can remember sitting in the back of my parents’ car, v…