New affordable housing community offers 64 apartments, including accessible apartments for adults with disabilities
LANCASTER, Pa. — HDC MidAtlantic (HDC) celebrated the grand opening of The Apartments at College Avenue in Lancaster City, developed in partnership with the United Disabilities Services Foundation.
Phase 1 of this highly anticipated community represents a $24 million investment in equitable development and affordable housing in Lancaster City’s West End and transformed the former St. Joseph’s Hospital site into 64 modern, energy-efficient homes — 48 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom apartments, including 12 Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant units, twice the number HDC typically provides.
After five years of development, HDC received 526 applications in 30 days, creating a three-year waitlist, with ninety-seven percent of applicants from Lancaster County.
“We have 391 households on the waitlist, and even with two more phases in the pipeline, we still will not be able to serve them all. And that is heartbreaking,” said HDC President and CEO Dana Hanchin.
The tight rental market underscores the significance of the new development. Lancaster’s rental vacancy rate is 4.6 percent, well below the national average of approximately 7 percent, leading to rising rents and competition. Lancaster City Mayor Danene Sorace called the project “Lancaster’s largest single addition of affordable housing in decades” and praised those involved.
Nationally, nearly half of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Rents at The Apartments at College Avenue range from $228 to $950 a month and are income-based to ensure affordability.
Residents like volunteer firefighter and father of two, Francisco Lugo, appreciate the impact firsthand. He said, “What I appreciate most about living here is how reasonable the rent is. It is not too expensive — you are not going to go broke paying rent here. And if you fall behind, they actually have programs to help residents get back on track. That says a lot. Most places do not do that. HDC does not just feel like a landlord — it feels like they are on your side.”
He added, “For me, affordable housing does not mean settling. It means having a chance to give my girls a stable, happy home without constant financial stress. We are all human, and sometimes life hits hard. Having a place that is safe, affordable, and supportive makes all the difference.”
Representing the partner organization, Mason Smeltzer, senior vice president of program operations at the United Disabilities Services Foundation, said, “This partnership has given us a vital opportunity to provide much-needed affordable and accessible housing to a population that has historically been underserved.”
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency contributed $16 million through tax credits and cost relief programs. Additional funding came from Centric Bank, Citizens Bank, City of Lancaster, CREA, FCCB, Fulton Bank, High Foundation, Lancaster County Community Foundation, Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, Lombardo Foundation, M&T Bank, PA Housing Finance Agency, Peoples Bank, PNC Bank, Santander Bank, The Steinman Foundation, Tenfold, and the United Disabilities Services Foundation.
Despite significant financial support, challenges remain. “This work is not getting easier. In fact, it is getting harder — with threats of funding cuts, uncertainty at many levels, and continued complexity to deliver affordable housing. But we are not letting our foot off the gas. Housing is a cornerstone for economic mobility and prosperity,” said Hanchin.
The grand opening featured a performance by the Infamous Unstoppable Drill Team and Drum Squad and ice cream served by SCOOPS Ice Cream and Grille. HDC also recognizes Benchmark Construction and Fulton Bank for their sponsorship.
About HDC MidAtlantic
HDC MidAtlantic envisions a world where a safe, welcoming, affordable place to call home is open to everyone. We believe home shouldn’t be an impossible dream—it should be an attainable reality. We believe housing is a human right. We are resident advocates, trusted developers, property managers, community partners, and collaborators. As part of the fabric of our towns and cities, we have been working alongside our neighbors since 1971 to create real change and meaningful connections. As champions of the greater good, we are committed to advancing equity, opening doors to opportunity, and building homes we can all be proud of.
HDC owns and/or manages more than 3,300 apartments, providing safe and affordable housing to individuals with lower incomes, with a focus on seniors, families, and individuals living with disabilities. Serving 4,500 residents across 67 communities in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, HDC builds hope and opportunity by creating, preserving, and strengthening 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.
