On September 29, HDC was thrilled to mark the official start of construction for our newest affordable housing community, 1528 West Apartments, in Allentown, PA. We celebrated the groundbreaking of this development, which will add 49 affordable apartments for seniors 55+ and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, alongside an enthusiastic group of partners, supporters, and advocates.
More than 50 external partners took part in the celebration, which was held on the site of the future development next to our new neighbors, local nonprofit, The Community Music School. Attendees heard from a slate of speakers who are all invested in the expansion of affordable housing in this region including Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk; PA Representative Michael Schlossberg; Nakia Parker, Eastern Regional Manager at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; Melissa Keiser, Vice President at Alliance for Building Communities, Inc.; Bill Meltzer, Chair of the Housing Initiative at the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center; and Diane Elliott, HDC Board Member. Barry Lee of the Circle Legacy Center provided a land acknowledgement to honor the history of the site.
“We know that everyone here today cares deeply about the City of Allentown and the people who call it home. We are excited to be building new housing, welcoming new neighbors, and forging strong partnerships here in the Lehigh Valley,” Dana Hanchin, CEO and President of HDC MidAtlantic said at the event. “As we break ground today, let us celebrate the vibrant and thriving community we are creating together.”
This senior community will include 35 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments, and 10 apartments will be set aside for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 1528 West will serve households earning up to $45,300 a year, with rents ranging from $340 to $1,169.
HDC and our development partner, Alliance for Building Communities, have worked alongside local nonprofit, Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center, to conceptualize this community that will support independent living for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We hold residents central to everything we do at HDC, and we are proud that this affordable housing community will provide a place for all residents to reach their full potential, and not just survive but thrive here in the City of Allentown.
“Housing is a right, but it is also not enough,” Representative Schlossberg said during his remarks. “You should judge a society on how they treat their most in need. A project like this takes us a step closer to doing that.”
This community represents an $18 million direct investment, and will result in three-fold return in the local economy over time. We are proud to contribute to the economic success of this region today, and for years to come.
In addition to 1528 West, HDC owns one other affordable community in the Lehigh Valley, South Side Lofts in Bethlehem, which includes 46 apartments. We own and/or manage 55 other communities in Pennsylvania.
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.
Allentown, PA
Fredericksburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
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:
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.
