Dear friends,
It is not hard to remember why we do this work in the midst of the COVID19 crisis. We are needed now more than ever, together with partners and residents to create and strengthen affordable housing communities that are driven by purpose and passion.
2020 kicked off its HDC’s new strategic direction for the next five years. Although the last two months have been unlike any season in the life of HDC, we have adapted quickly to keep our residents and employees safe and healthy and position the organization to sustain itself now and for the future.
But we also know it is important to keep our sights on our new strategic plan and 2020 goals. In January, HDC kicked off its rebranding efforts: an essential next step to align our visual identity with our new strategic direction, vision, and values. This newsletter features our new logo. We are so thrilled with our new visual identity as it exemplifies the hope, opportunity and community that HDC lives and breathes into its work every day.
HDC believes it’s our duty to do better by our community. We serve every community, every resident, and every member of our team with honor, compassion, and respect. Together we are navigating through the uncharted territory of the COVID-19 crisis. And we are taking action to break down the systemic barriers that result in the most vulnerable populations being the most severely impacted by major crises.
In this edition, you will learn more about our amazing partners and friends, who in big and small ways, have demonstrated compassion and kindness to our residents during this critical time. You will also learn more about HDC’s leadership as we spotlight our Director of Resident Services, Debbie Gable, who is working tirelessly with her team to reach out to every resident to assess need, connect residents to available resources and ensure housing stability now and in the long term.
Our bench is deep. Our hearts are full. Our will is strong. We are on the ground getting it done, working with our partners create real change and meaningful connections, even as we social distance.
With gratitude and hope,
Dana Hanchin
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.
