HDC celebrated the grand opening of Beach Run Apartments in Fredericksburg with local partners, friends and residents on Oct. 7! More than 30 residents joined the party, and many shared their personal stories of how they found a home at this community.
Tina Kondracki, who spoke during the program, shared how she and her husband Brian found Beach Run as one example of the many ways residents find stable housing.
They came to Fredericksburg after finding the new development online. They were looking for a place that was affordable and comfortable. “It can be hard to find a place that meets your needs,” she said. “Since moving in, we couldn’t be happier.”
Other residents shared their stories—one was living in a shelter, another was living in a motel for five months, and a third worked with Lancaster General Health to relocate to Beach Run to escape domestic violence. These stories remind us of why we do this work, and the incredible impact a home can have to create stability and safety.
Finding a place to live that meets one’s basic needs and budget can feel like a never-ending challenge. The complexity of lower-income families and individuals extend far beyond simply finding a safe, affordable, and welcoming place to call home. At HDC, we are committed to being an ally in speaking to issues, programs, and policies that improve quality of life of our residents. Issues that we know are important to our residents include:
Every voice matters. At HDC, we are committed to raising up resident voices and opening doors so that residents can actively participate in the democratic process, speak out on issues important to them and their communities, and communicate how policies affect their everyday lives. We believe it is important to make the time and space to listen, and to support resident leaders in effectively using their voices. We support resident advocacy opportunities through our Resident Academy of Leadership & Inspiration, Voter Registration Drives, and holding constituent meetings and tours with elected officials.
We know we can’t solve the affordable housing challenge alone. We need champions to help change the conversation around what home means and why it matters. We are committed to educating elected officials to understand the needs and challenges of their constituents. We are here to provide solutions that work and offer affordable housing expertise that demonstrates the impact policy decisions have on lower-income families, seniors and those with disabilities. We work closely with and participate in alliances and coalitions to educate and advance shared policy priorities. Our advocacy partners include:
Wendy Smith serves as the Vice President of Property Management, responsible for the overall strategic direction for HDC’s management portfolio and the organization’s largest staff team. Previously, Wendy served as Asset and Operations Manager for a leading real estate firm based in New York City which owned over 11,000 affordable homes. Since 2008, Wendy has held roles in regional level operations for commercial and for-profit housing agencies. Wendy holds a degree in International Studies.
Allentown, PA
Fredericksburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
