June 1, 2020
Like many across America, we at HDC MidAtlantic are outraged by the death of George Floyd, and the persistent systemic racism leading many to see people of color as potential threats rather than neighbors. Floyd’s killing was not only horrific in itself, it represents once again the dehumanizing reality of racism and the depth of oppression permeating many aspects of daily life for people of color.
HDC MidAtlantic has made advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion a central goal of our organization, in order to do everything we can to break down barriers to affordable housing. We have committed to organization-wide training on equity, diversity and inclusion and committed to applying this lens to all policies and procedures, hiring and human resource practices, and vendor and partner relationships.
Given these commitments, we understand the anger, trauma, and despair leading millions of Americans to take to the streets in protest in recent days. And we support peaceful, nonviolent protest of unjust social and economic systems.
We call on elected officials at every level of government to do everything in your power to advance racial equity and inclusion in our communities, and most importantly to enact policies that generate increased economic opportunity and equity for everyone.
HDC envisions a world where a safe, affordable and welcoming place to call home is open to everyone. This vision cannot become a reality until America fully comes to terms with its legacy of systemic racism. Dismantling the racism that leads to the kind of unjust violence we have witnessed, not just last week but over and over, takes every one of us stepping up to do better. HDC is committed to this, and we look forward to partnering with residents, neighbors, and leaders in every community we serve to advance equity and justice for everyone.
Dana Hanchin, President and CEO
Steve J. Geisenberger, Chair, Board of Directors
About HDC MidAtlantic
HDC MidAtlantic envisions a world where a safe, welcoming, affordable place to call home is open to everyone. We believe home shouldn’t be an impossible dream, it should be an attainable reality: we believe housing is a human right. We are resident advocates, trusted developers, property managers, community partners, and collaborators. We are part of the fabric of our towns and cities, and have been working with our neighbors since 1971 to create real change and meaningful connections. As champions of the greater good, we open the door to opportunities and build homes that we can all be proud of.
HDC owns and/or manages over 3,700 apartments, providing housing that is safe and affordable to those with lower incomes, focusing on seniors, families, and individuals living with disabilities. Serving over 5,000 residents in 58 communities located in urban, suburban and rural areas across Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, HDC builds hope and opportunity for all residents to reach their full potential by creating, preserving, and strengthening affordable housing communities.
Every voice matters. At HDC, we are committed to raising up resident voices and opening doors so that residents can actively participate in the democratic process, speak out on issues important to them and their communities, and communicate how policies affect their everyday lives. We believe it is important to make the time and space to listen, and to support resident leaders in effectively using their voices. We support resident advocacy opportunities through our Resident Academy of Leadership & Inspiration, Voter Registration Drives, and holding constituent meetings and tours with elected officials.
Allentown, PA
Fredericksburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
Finding a place to live that meets one’s basic needs and budget can feel like a never-ending challenge. The complexity of lower-income families and individuals extend far beyond simply finding a safe, affordable, and welcoming place to call home. At HDC, we are committed to being an ally in speaking to issues, programs, and policies that improve quality of life of our residents. Issues that we know are important to our residents include:
We know we can’t solve the affordable housing challenge alone. We need champions to help change the conversation around what home means and why it matters. We are committed to educating elected officials to understand the needs and challenges of their constituents. We are here to provide solutions that work and offer affordable housing expertise that demonstrates the impact policy decisions have on lower-income families, seniors and those with disabilities. We work closely with and participate in alliances and coalitions to educate and advance shared policy priorities. Our advocacy partners include:
Wendy Smith serves as the Vice President of Property Management, responsible for the overall strategic direction for HDC’s management portfolio and the organization’s largest staff team. Previously, Wendy served as Asset and Operations Manager for a leading real estate firm based in New York City which owned over 11,000 affordable homes. Since 2008, Wendy has held roles in regional level operations for commercial and for-profit housing agencies. Wendy holds a degree in International Studies.
