Lebanon County commissioners approved two allocations from the county's Act 137 Affordable Housing Trust Fund on motions passed during their public meeting. The board voted to award $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity for two housing rehabilitation projects and to commit $465,946.68 to a 10-year staffed housing development initiative run by the Community Health Council and Lebanon County Christian Ministries.

The awards come from Act 137 funds, the county account designated for affordable-housing projects. The Habitat award will be split evenly between two properties, 1021 Walnut Street and 315 North Fifth Street, both described by Habitat representatives as being rehabilitated to new-build specifications. Habitat said one of the homes is already matched to a single-parent family in its homebuyer program.

The second allocation will fund a housing development director position to be managed through a public-private partnership. Nikki Mallard Gray of the Community Health Council said the $465,946.68 would be paid over 10 years, with a formal reevaluation at year five and oversight by an advisory committee that includes county, city and nonprofit representatives. She also said WellSpan Health and other partners will contribute to the broader effort.

County staff reported the trust had a balance of just over $1 million as of June 30, with $579,000 uncommitted. After the Habitat commitment, staff said roughly $479,000 remained available; the commissioners then approved the Community Health Council request, which will draw nearly the remaining uncommitted balance.

Habitat representatives described program details: volunteer and contractor labor, homeowner sweat-equity requirements, and local demand. Tiffany Bridal, development administrator with Habitat, said the organization received 96 applications in five days after opening outreach specifically for Lebanon County and expects many will qualify for homebuyer assistance.

Commissioners made and seconded motions for both awards and recorded unanimous voice votes approving the requests. Meeting remarks and motions did not reference additional legal conditions or required external approvals.

The awards commit county Act 137 resources to both immediate construction work and a longer-term staff capacity investment; county officials and partnering nonprofits said both moves aim to expand homeownership and affordable-housing production in Lebanon County.