January 26, 2023
HARRISBURG — Continuing one of Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams top initiatives, Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (TCHDC) announced Thursday the sale of the 16th and final home along the 1500 block of Swatara Street in Harrisburg’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
The home at 1505 Swatara is among three recently built under the leadership of TCHDC, buoyed by funding from the City of Harrisburg, alongside Dauphin County and state leaders, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The homes cost $237,000 to build, but with assistance from those entities, sold to homebuyers for $119,000, according to TCHDC Executive Director Gary Lenker.
“There is nothing more gratifying to a housing provider than seeing a family in need handed the keys to a new home and beginning a new life as part of a strong community,” Lenker said.
In addition, homebuyers can apply for 10 years of tax abatement, under Harrisburg’s Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement program (LERTA), which will forgive taxes on home improvement projects for families making an income of between 51 and 80 percent of the median family income. A family of five, for example, would qualify if they earn between $50,951 and $81,500.
“When I ran for mayor, I did so under the promise that together, we would create more homes for low-to-moderate-income families,” said Mayor Williams. “It is an honor to stand here today where soon, these very families will be able to call these houses a home.”
As part of Mayor Williams’ affordable housing initiative, 50 units are planned for construction in the area of 15th and Regina Streets, and 67 units throughout Uptown Harrisburg. The City is expecting to break ground on those projects in the Fall 2023.
“Tri-County Housing Development Corporation is a longstanding partner of the City as it pertains to increasing quality housing options for Harrisburg residents,” said Dennise Hill, the City of Harrisburg’s Department of Building and Housing Development Director. “The organization serves as the current Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) for the City, meaning it is a nonprofit organization with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves. I appreciate the collaboration with Tri-County Housing and all they do for the City.”
On Wednesday, Harrisburg City Council approved Bill 2 of 2023, which clears the way for more than $510,000 to go towards affordable housing initiatives in the City of Harrisburg. A total of seven homes will be able to be built due to this money, including the three on Swatara Street, plus four additional in the city.
“I want to thank City Council for helping us move forward together,” Mayor Williams said. “Any developers who want to work with us on additional projects, we are open for business.”
Thursday’s celebration included Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick, Harrisburg State Senator John DiSanto, and Bryce Maretzki of the PHFA.
