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Community Homes updates commissioners on Canal complex, seeks funding to finish 15 units
Summary
A Community Homes representative described resident outcomes at Canal Phase 1 and asked the county to consider support as staff apply to the Federal Home Loan Bank to fund the remaining 15 units, citing a $3.3 million completion cost and a preferred county ask of $750,000.
Harley, a Community Homes representative, told the Lebanon County commissioners at a workshop that Canal Phase 1 — an eight-unit affordable housing property — has been in operation for two years and has housed people who previously were homeless or had special needs. "This is what you were supporting Canals has accomplished," Harley said, recounting multiple residents who now work as a registered nurse, a counselor at a women's shelter and a life coach who helps formerly incarcerated people reenter the community.
The update compressed three themes: resident outcomes, operational structure, and a funding request to complete Phase 2. Harley said Canal is a mixed-income property that serves households ranging from at-or-below 50% AMI up to 80% AMI. "The lowest rent that we've had at Canals was a family and their rent was $253 a month," Harley said; he added the highest current tenant rent at the property is about $1,300 a month. He said the development sustains itself financially in part because of that income mix and noted the only capital subsidy to date was a $750,000 Federal Home Loan Bank affordable housing award three years ago.
Harley outlined plans to finish the remaining 15 units (to reach a total of 23). He said the County-directed application to the Federal Home Loan Bank is due Aug. 6 and that the project team hopes to have materials ready by mid-July. "The entire to complete the last 15 units is going to be approximately $3.3 million," Harley said, adding a contractor had offered nearly $75,000 in in-kind work and that $525,000 is currently on deposit from a capital campaign.
When commissioners pressed on county funds, a participant identified as Daniel said roughly $180,000 remains in the county housing fund after earlier commitments — leaving a gap if the county were to provide direct support. Harley said his preferred county ask would be $750,000; he also described a private-raise need between $350,000 and $600,000 depending on county support.
Harley emphasized on-site resident services: Community Homes pays salaries and benefits for resident-services staff, naming Bonnie Heist and Lori Wise as coordinators who provide extensive casework across Community Homes properties. The staff recently completed a National Center for Housing Management program intended to improve emergency evacuation planning and resident support in high-density buildings, Harley said.
No vote or formal county action occurred at the workshop; Harley said he would seek time on a future regular public meeting agenda to present a formal request for county assistance and to answer additional questions.
What happens next: Community Homes will prepare its Federal Home Loan Bank application (deadline Aug. 6) and expects to return to a regular public meeting in mid-June to discuss a potential county support request. The county housing fund balance was cited as approximately $180,000 and would require additional allocations or external fundraising to bridge the stated funding gap.
