Council approves city support for up to $1 million in state local-share funds for College Avenue affordable housing

Lancaster City Council voted Sept. 23 to authorize filing a Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA) local-share account application for up to $1 million in state gaming funds to support HDC Mid Atlantic—s College Avenue housing project (Resolution 63-2025).

Kim Crowder, senior vice president for real-estate development at HDC Mid Atlantic, briefed council on a three-phase master plan for College Avenue that the presenter said will add about 160 units across three sites and an estimated total investment of roughly $60 million.

Crowder described Phase 1 as a completed building with 64 units (a mix of one- and two-bedrooms), fully leased by June, with rents ranging from $228 to $950 a month depending on unit size and household income. She said resident services are provided on-site roughly 13 hours per week and that the building includes a set-aside for adults with disabilities.

Phase 2 (the Delft wing) was described as 49 apartments (studios, efficiencies, one- and two-bedrooms). Crowder said 11 of those units would be set aside for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and the project includes a partnership with Milagro House to provide roughly 19 apartments for single parents pursuing education. HDC submitted a Low Income Housing Tax Credit application to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in February and said it expects awards in October; if awarded, HDC anticipates closing and beginning construction in 2026 with full occupancy in 2028.

Phase 3 (the Marietta Avenue site) was described as an estimated 40–50 family units targeted to households earning up to roughly 60% of area median income. Crowder estimated Phase 3—s total development cost at about $19 million, with the project team expecting to apply to PHFA in early 2027 and to be fully occupied by about 2030.

Crowder listed total development costs provided in her presentation: Phase 1 — $22.817 million; Phase 2 — $19.743 million; Phase 3 — roughly $19 million; she said the combined three-phase investment would exceed $60 million. She also said the project relies on many funding sources and that each public-dollar contribution is critical. Crowder said the only currently committed sources for Phase 3 were a contribution from Simon and an HDC contribution.

Councilor Craig asked how much funding for Phase 3 is committed; Crowder said only the Simon contribution and an HDC contribution are committed so far.

During public comment Tony Dastra asked whether federal changes at HUD could put current residents at risk, particularly undocumented residents. Crowder replied that the properties are funded primarily through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and private funding sources and that all residents are certified before move-in. "All the residents that live there have proven that... they—re allowed to be here," Crowder said.

Other public commenters congratulated the project, and Jose A. Nunez Ruiz, a commissioner on the governor—s advisory commission on Latino affairs, offered support and suggested coordination with county commissioners.

Council then approved Resolution 63-2025, authorizing the filing of a CFA local-share account application for up to $1 million for HDC Mid Atlantic—s College Avenue phase 3. The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes: Mr. Men — yes; Mr. Roya — yes; Mr. Cleese — yes; Miss Craig — yes; Miss Diaz — yes; President Baker — yes. (Motion and second were recorded; no recorded no votes or abstentions.)

Crowder said the developer will return with additional financing details if tax credits or other awards are secured. The administration noted the CFA local-share funding is state gaming revenue that the municipality must pass through to a subgrantee if awarded.