Tri-County Housing’s Affordable Housing Plan in Harrisburg Earns the Only Award in Central PA from 2024 Funding Round of the Federal Home Loan Bank Pittsburgh Townhome Project, Slated for City’s N. 4th Street, Awarded $750,000

HARRISBURG (December 16, 2024) A new affordable housing proposal in the city of Harrisburg –to be built in 2025 along the 2100 block of North 4^th Street –has been awarded $750,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank Pittsburgh. In a significant breakthrough, this latest funding award was the only one awarded in the midstate in this year’s round.

Gary Lenker, Executive Director of the nonprofit Tri-County Housing, the owner/developer of the project, said the project earned the grant thanks to the support of First Commonwealth Bank, and was the first awarded to Tri-County Housing in his 10-year tenure.

Five affordable townhomes will be built on vacant lots acquired from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority in the 2100 block of North 4th Street.  The three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath townhomes will be available for purchase for eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners with a Veterans preference, replicating the successful Hummel Street Project in the city.

The FHLB program consists of 11 government-sponsored banks across the U.S. that provide liquidity to financing institutions to support housing financing and community investment.

“After years of attempts to secure funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank in a highly competitive environment, we are truly elated that we have garnered support that will bring this project to fruition,” Lenker said. “The lion’s share of the 2024 funds went to major urban centers, so this award is a special victory for the midstate. As we work to help address the housing crisis in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties, one home at a time, we are grateful for the support of the State, the FHLB and our financial partners, and especially First Commonwealth Bank,” Lenker said.

The revitalization project previously received $400,000 in PHARE funds from the PA Housing Finance Agency, along with Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) dollars, and a Keystone Communities Program Grant for $366,000, both provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Lenker noted another first for the North 4^th Street revitalization: it is the first city project outside South Allison Hill in the 34-year-life of Tri-County Housing. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025.                                                                            ##

CONTACT: Diane McNaughton  [email protected]       717-303-8320