The Housing Initiative – 1528 West

After the launch of CILLS, EPDSC formed The Housing Initiative (THI) committee. THI works to establish a Creative Living Option (CLO) for individuals with intellectual disabilities. After years of development, this will be an apartment complex with 49 units where 20-25% will be dedicated to residents with intellectual disabilities and 75-80% occupied by typically developing individuals aged 55+. Upon completion, it will be the first CLO in the Lehigh Valley to include residents with and without disabilities.

NEWS Articles

Groundbreaking September 29th, 2023

WFMZ – Groundbreaking ceremony held for affordable housing community in Allentown.

The Morning Call – Affordable housing for seniors, intellectually disabled people coming to this Allentown neighborhood.

LehighValleyNews.com – “A dream come true”: Affordable complex for seniors, people with disabilities gets underway in Allentown.

February 14, 2023

WFMZ – Board granted final land development approval for a proposed 63,305 square-foot, four-story, 49-unit apartment building.

January 31, 2023

WFMZ – Apartments planned for Allentown’s Hamilton Street get zoners’ approval despite concerns

October 18, 2021 

49 Affordable Apartments for Seniors & Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coming to Allentown 

HDC MidAtlantic and Alliance for Building Communities, Inc. are partnering to build affordable housing at 1528 West 

PHOTO: Above for rendering of 1528 West 

Cutline: New affordable apartments will create inclusive housing for seniors and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities 

ALLENTOWN – The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) awarded $1,197,172 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits for a new affordable housing community, 1528 West, in Allentown, Pa. The community, which is being developed by HDC MidAtlantic and Alliance for Building Communities, Inc. (ABC), will add 49 affordable apartments for seniors 55+ with an established preference for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

“A safe, affordable place to call home is the cornerstone of stability and growth,” said Dana Hanchin, President and CEO of HDC. “We cannot do the work of creating affordable housing for residents without partners, and we are happy to be working closely with Alliance for Building Communities, Inc. and The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center (EPDSC) on 1528 West. This is the first HDC community designed expressly to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are thrilled to be filling this critical need in Allentown.” 

EPDSC, a Trexlertown nonprofit that connects individuals with Down syndrome with medical, educational, and support services, started the search for a housing option that allowed adults with IDD to live independent, inclusive and meaningful lives. EPDSC’s “The Housing Initiative” is comprised of a small group of parents and is working closely with HDC and ABC to develop this community.  

“Housing options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is very limited in the Lehigh Valley, and we recognized the need for these individuals to have a place where they can live independently,” said Bill Meltzer of EPDSC. “Housing like this is a stepping stone for residents to reach their full potential and transform society’s misconception of the capabilities of people with IDD.”  

This new affordable housing community will be located adjacent to the Community Music School in the 1500 block of Hamilton Street in Allentown. The property is owned by local entrepreneur Mark Smith. It will be close to public transportation, local stores, restaurants and more to promote independence.  

1528 West also received more than $800,000 in National Housing Trust Funds, and $250,000 in HOME funds from the City of Allentown. The development is supported by several local community service organizations and stakeholders including the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living and others. The total development costs are estimated to be $14 million.  

“1528 West is a great example of community partnerships coming together to revitalize neighborhoods in Allentown, creating diverse communities where all people can thrive,” said Brad Fatzinger, Executive Director of ABC.  

The affordable housing community at 1528 West will include 35 one-bedroom apartments and 14 two-bedroom apartments. Approximately six of those apartments will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act design standards. 

Amenities will include professional on-site property management, 24/7 on-call maintenance, a spacious community room, and a fully-funded resident services program designed to enhance residents’ quality of life, connect them with local resources, and build healthy communities. 

PHFA also awarded $1,250,000 in Low Income Tax Credits to HDC MidAtlantic for development of The Apartments at College Avenue in Lancaster, Pa. The new 60-apartment affordable housing community is Phase One of a larger plan to redevelop the former UPMC/St. Joseph’s hospital site into a mixed-use site. 

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 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 are committed to advancing equity, we open the door to opportunities, and we are proud of the homes we build.  

HDC owns and/or manages over 3,000 apartments, providing housing that is safe and affordable to those with lower incomes, focusing on seniors, families, and individuals living with disabilities. Serving nearly 4,000 residents in 55 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. 

About Alliance for Building Communities, Inc.  

Alliance for Building Communities mission is to create community partnerships dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods by developing safe and affordable housing that fosters independent living and enhances the quality of life for seniors and families.  We believe in empowering people to develop thriving diverse communities.   

ABC currently owns and manages rental housing for several hundred low and very low income families and senior citizens throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

About The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center 

The mission of the Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center is to equip families and individuals influenced by Down syndrome with the latest medical advancement, social, emotional and educational support in order to maximize each individual’s potential. 

Our Center began in 1995 as a concept created by several local families in order to gain access to specialized care and coordinate medical services for individuals with Down syndrome. With the assistance of The Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust, the concept became a reality and on March 15th, 1999 the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center held its grand opening. Over the last 22 years, the EPDSC has served hundreds of families in Eastern Pennsylvania and has recently begun to provide medical services for adults. For more information, please visit www.epdsc.net

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Contact: Kate Hartman, 717-291-1911 x8045, 484-637-6360, khartman@hdcweb.org or Kerri DiDario, 484.201.1922 epdsckerri@gmail.com.