HDC MidAtlantic recently celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of 1528 West Apartments, a newly completed affordable housing community in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Representing a $19 million investment in the Lehigh Valley, this new development brings 49 affordable apartments to the region—designed specifically for seniors aged 55+ and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The project includes 35 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom units, reflecting the high demand for affordable housing in Lehigh County. With more than 230 applicants for just 49 homes, the need for accessible, inclusive housing continues to grow.
“1528 West embodies the American dream—that everyone should have the freedom and opportunity to succeed and live a better life,” said Dana Hanchin, President and CEO of HDC MidAtlantic. “Designed to foster independence, this community provides a supportive environment for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
The development includes a dedicated set-aside of units for adults with IDD through a partnership with the Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center (EPDSC).
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk joined in celebrating the new community and emphasized the need for continued housing investment across the city.
“But we cannot stop here. We need continued investment in affordable housing across our city and county,” he said.
“And in a time when ‘not in my backyard’ is a popular phrase, I’m happy to say not just ‘yes, in my backyard,’ but let’s build it in the front yard.”
The road to completion wasn’t without its challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, skyrocketing construction costs made it difficult to reach the closing stage. Critical support came from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), which provided $1.9 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), along with other key funding sources.
In total, PHFA contributed $4.6 million in loans and nearly $1.2 million in tax credits—generating more than $11.5 million in equity for the project.
“The end result will be more much-needed affordable housing with supportive services for seniors,” said Jessica Perry, PHFA’s Director of Multifamily Housing.
Additional funding partners included CREA, Fulton Bank, the City of Allentown, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the American Rescue Plan Act, the Pennsylvania DCED Neighborhood Assistance Program, M&T Bank, and Mid Penn Bank.
The grand opening took place on World Down Syndrome Day, adding a personal and meaningful layer to the event. Guests—including new residents, elected officials, community partners, and neighbors—celebrated with a ribbon-cutting, open house, and colorful socks in tribute to the chromosomes that define Down syndrome.
Kim Krauter, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at HDC, shared her personal connection to the day:
“I have a 16-year-old son, Jesse, who has Down syndrome. As a parent, I can’t help but dream of a future where there are opportunities like this for him when he’s ready to take the next step toward greater independence.”
Bill Meltzer, Co-Founder and Chair of the Housing Initiative Committee at EPDSC, echoed that sentiment:
“Housing that is safe, affordable, and inclusive is critical to making our communities more livable for people with disabilities. This is truly a dream come true for our young adults, as well as others with disabilities who would love to have a place they can call home.”
Food and refreshments for the event were generously provided by Mary Ann Donut Kitchen and Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.
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.
