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Squatters win W. Phila house at auction

8K gets them the residence from PHA.

SQUATTERS IN WEST Philadelphia who launched an online fundraising drive to buy the house they had been inhabiting purchased the home for $8,000 yesterday at a Philadelphia Housing Authority auction.

The group raised $3,000 online and received a $5,000 loan from a supporter, said Jess Meyers, 28, who has lived in the house for eight years. She said the three-bedroom rowhouse on Funston Street near 52nd only had one other bidder.

After edging out the other bidder, Meyers handed over a $2,500 cashier's check and signed a purchase agreement. The sale is expected to close within 45 days.

Meyers said she plans to do some major renovations to the property, which PHA boarded up Monday, and has asked the Department of Licenses and Inspections to tear down a dangerous property next door.

"We're going to be [demolishing] the whole inside and getting it completely renovated. I foresee us being able to get it at least halfway done within the next five months," she said, adding that future guests will have to pay a small fee.

The house was among 189 houses and lots sold at the auction, which was run by Max Spann. PHA will the proceeds to fund affordable-housing projects.

- Solomon Leach