HDC’s people-centered approach to housing recognizes that a safe, stable, affordable home is just the beginning. When an individual is stably housed, they are able to focus on other personal goals. HDC’s Resident Services team is designed to support individuals who are living in HDC affordable communities, assessing their needs, and connecting them with service providers and resources. Often, financial literacy is an area of focus for residents who want to build their knowledge. Increased financial literacy helps individuals maintain the housing they worked so hard to secure and can create other opportunities for economic growth and mobility.
Truist, a financial institution that believes in financial education and support, understands the important link between financial security and housing stability. Whenever possible, HDC collaborates with mission-driven organizations to provide services to residents. HDC’s Resident Services team works with Truist to host financial literacy workshops on a variety of topics including include Banking & Budgeting Basics, Budgeting During a Crisis, Becoming a Homeowner. Truist also offers individual counseling meetings to help residents establish credit or repair their credit history.
These one-on-one and group educational opportunities have a positive impact on residents. Truist has hosted educational programs at communities in Berks and Lancaster counties over the last three. Additional programs are scheduled through the summer and fall.
We are fortunate that our partnership with Truist extends into support as a corporate sponsor and grant maker that funds our affordable housing developments including the upcoming Apartments at College Avenue in Lancaster, PA. When we collaborate with like-minded partners, we are able to do more. This relationship is a great example of how we can come together to support residents as they pursue their individual goals, while also helping us achieve our larger mission of building hope and opportunity for all residents through the creation, preservation, and strengthening of affordable housing communities.
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.
