Interested in our Household?

What are the expectations of household?

We are a community that lives intentionally together, aiming to grow and support each other personally and spiritually bringing us closer to our faith in Him. Part of the beauty of Household is that the community enables all tenants to grow in Faith and Sisterhood by cultivating virtue.

• Formation Program

  • house prayer​ once a week

  • dinner once a week

  • small group once a week

• Policy (more in constitution)

  • no underage drinking in the household ​

  • male visitors must remain in common spaces and have a curfew of 10pm on school nights and 12am on weekends

  • attendance at house monthly meetings

  • weekly chores

  • commitment to upholding the teaching and doctrine of the Catholic Church 

How does household operate?

The house was founded by two Penn students and modeled after Catholic households like those of St. Paul's Outreach. The house has a constitution which delineates our goals as a community, our relationship with the Parish and the Newman Center, and our internal faith formation and functions, such as leadership positions and other affairs. The constitution has been written by previous leaders in conjunction with the Parish, and must be signed by every member of the Household, to attest their community to our values and goals.

How expensive is household?

• Rooms range from $450-$775 per month plus $70/month for utilities 

• There is no additional charge for wifi 

• Household supplies are purchased in bulk and split among the 14 women sharing the cost 

• House dinner fund $10/month

• The house does receive a budget from the parish for certain outreach events and programming

How will this impact my financial aid?

Your financial aid is not affected by living off-campus. When you live off-campus (i.e. apartment, fraternity/sorority house), you will receive financial aid based on the same budget as if you lived on campus. To ensure that you have sufficient funds to begin the academic year, we recommend the following:

• "apply for financial aid as early as possible, but no later than April 15 for the following year

• sign and return loan paperwork on time if you receive them

• If you usually receive Federal Perkins or Nursing Loan, sign and return loan notes promptly

• Be prepared to use your summer savings and other resources to pay off-campus bills until your actual financial aid funds are applied to your student account.

• You will be entitled to a refund if your financial aid credits exceed the amount due on your bill.  To expedite receipt of your refund, sign up for Direct Deposit if you haven’t already done so.” (Penn SFS website)

How does payment work?

Payment is made via check or cash to Saint Agatha-Saint James on the first of the month. It can be mailed, done electronically with your bank,  or walked over to 38th and Chestnut

What is the lease period?

Leases are signed August to August. There is a great benefit for those who plan to stay on campus for summer jobs or research! If a woman will not be around in the summertime she is still responsible for her rent payments. She can choose to leave the room vacant or find a summer subletter who will also sign a lease.

Is it safe to live off campus?

We are technically off campus, but our house is directly across the street from the area considered “on-campus.”  Additionally, our house is positioned between two Penn buildings. It is located within the Penn police patrol zone, so we have access to all the security that the university offers.  Doors are kept locked. Windows on the fire escape are barred and only able to be opened from the inside. Fire extinguishers and fire alarms are tested as per protocol.

Is it furnished?

Regarding room furniture, we encourage you to buy the furniture of the room you are going to live in directly from the person who lived there, with the idea that you will then sell said furniture to the girl who moves into your room in the future. You are also welcomed to bring your own furniture.
As for the common furniture, the cost of it ($1,200), is annually divided among the girls living in the house, which they then receive back from the next group of girls who move in the following year with a 10% depreciation after a year of use.

What are rooms like?

Our house has 6 double rooms and two single rooms.  For images of the rooms and other parts of the house, please visit our gallery

Is there laundry?

Yes! There is a washer and dryer free of charge downstairs. Everyone is responsible for their own detergent.

Is there air conditioning?

    Yes! Each room of the house has a window unit, ceiling fan, and windows with screens that can opened.

What do I do about dining and food expenses?

Each girl has a choice in how she wants to handle her food expenses. Some choose to go completely off the dining plan and use the kitchen to store all their groceries. Some have full meal plans and rely on Penn dining for all their meals. Others have a partial meal plan which they supplement with groceries. Each woman is given an area of the kitchen (ie cabinet or shelf) and either space in the household fridge or a place in the kitchen to bring her own mini fridge. Once a week two women partner together to cook dinner for the whole house on a budget.

What do I do if I still have questions?

Talk to us! You can email questions to womenshousehold@gmail.com and we can answer electronically or arrange a phone or in person meeting! We can also arrange for you to get coffee with a current or past resident. Copies of the full constitution are available by email