(HARRISBURG) July 21, 2026 – Building upon a 36-year record of providing affordable, high-quality housing for individuals and families in need, the Harrisburg-based Tri-County Housing has attracted $200,000 in state funding for its new North Fifth Street initiative in the uptown section of the capital city.
Tri-County Housing plans to construct an affordable duplex on two vacant lots along North Fifth Street, a long-blighted area. The duplex is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027.
Tri-County also was awarded $50,000 for its Homebuyer Counseling program, to help cover operational expenses as they support low-income families and individuals on the path to homeownership.
These awards were announced at the June 11 board meeting of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
The PHARE program is designed to expand housing opportunities and services for Pennsylvania families, supporting affordable new senior housing, utility assistance to struggling families and more. To learn more about PHARE, which is administered by the PHFA, visit https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx
Gary Lenker, executive director of Tri-County Housing, the owner/developer of the project, said, “This state funding is critically important and will make a tangible difference for families and individuals in terms of affordability and access to the community’s housing stock. Being able to bring new homes and new life to a blighted block lies at the heart of our mission and promises to be a life-changer for local families.’
“PHARE funds have opened doors for individuals and families working hard to make ends meet, and we are grateful for this significant level of support,” Lenker added.
WHO WE ARE: Tri-County Housing was formerly Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (TCHDC). Tri-County/TCHDC has served Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties for 36 years. Since 1990, they have developed or rehabilitated more than 800 units of affordable housing, for both rent and purchase. They specialize in rehabilitation and redevelopment projects as well as new home construction. Tri-County rehabilitates abandoned and blighted properties in the City of Harrisburg and throughout Dauphin, Cumberland Counties and Perry Counties. In addition, they are a HUD-certified Homebuyer Counseling Agency that provides a monthly eight-hour course to first-time homebuyers. Recent successful projects include affordable homes for sale in the South Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg, on both Hummel Street and Swatara Street, along with properties on the 2100 block of North 4th Street in uptown Harrisburg, East South Street in Carlisle, Herman Avenue in Lemoyne Borough, and Eutaw Ave. in New Cumberland.
