HDC MidAtlantic and its partners celebrated the opening of Heritage Point Apartments – a 56 unit affordable apartment community for working families, seniors, and individuals living with disabilities – in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. with a ribbon cutting ceremony October 2.
Sharlene Woodruff serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She is HDC’s longest tenured member of the Executive team, working at HDC for over 30 years! Sharlene is responsible for the planning, implementation, managing finance and accounting activities for HDC and its subsidiaries. Sharlene has a degree from Central Penn College.
Sharlene is driven by HDC’s mission and enjoys every minute of her job. When she is not crunching numbers, she enjoys having her dogs take her for a walk and going camping with her husband in their brand spanking new 5th wheel camper.
Tammie Fitzpatrick serves as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and annual workplans, leading the coordination of departmental goal setting and execution, building staff capacity, managing long-term complex projects, and providing leadership to the Property Management, Resident Services, and Human Resources departments. She previously served at HDC’s Director of Real Estate Operations. She has worked in Real Estate Development for more than 15 years, including nearly seven years working for Lancaster-based nonprofit housing developers to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis and create housing equity for all. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech and holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development from Georgetown University. She is a registered Architect in Pennsylvania and volunteers on several boards and committees that support housing initiatives including the Lancaster County Coalition for Smart Growth, Coalition for Sustainable Housing, Lancaster Equity, Leadership Lancaster Program Committee, and co-chairs the Women in Housing and Finance of PA Steering Committee.
When not at work, Tammie can be found in the weightlifting gym, on a hike in the woods with her family and two dogs, or eating something delicious in a new city.
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.
Debbie Gable serves as Vice President of Resident Services, leading a team that provides supports to residents that promote economic mobility, housing stability, and health and wellness. For over 35 years, Debbie has dedicated her career to advancing equity and promoting human dignity through work in nonprofit and social service organizations in York and Lancaster Counties. Debbie earned a B.S. in Individual and Family Studies from Penn State University, and an M.A. in Human Sciences and Psychology from Hood College.
Debbie has an infectious laugh. She has a passion for working along people and finding joy in one’s life no matter the situation. Debbie enjoys storytelling, swimming, taking long walks in the forest and being the best grandmother ever to her three granddaughters.
Allentown, PA1528 West in Allentown, PA is HDC’s first community with an established preference for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. HDC is partnering with Alliance for Building Communities, Inc. to create this new housing community, which will add 49 new affordable apartments in the area. The development is funded in part through $1.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. 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 Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center, a Trexlertown nonprofit that connects individuals with Down syndrome with medical, educational, and support services, is also involved in the development of this community.
Affordable housing project for disabled adults in Allentown receives $1.2 million in funding
Fredericksburg, PABeach Run Apartments was completed and fully rented in September. The community features 51 one-, two-, and three-bedroom general occupancy apartments in Fredericksburg, PA—representing HDC’s second housing community in Lebanon County. Beach Run was funded through Low Income Housing Tax Credit financing from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), with additional key partners including Fulton Bank, CREA, and Arthur Funk and Sons Construction. Total development costs were $14.6 million.
$250,000 awarded through the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credit program, in partnership with First Citizens Community Bank, M&T Bank, and Truist Bank.
Additional awards include $1,150,000 in PHFA PennHOMES funding, and $500,000 in Lebanon County Act 137 funds.
The development serves households between 20% and 80% of the Area Median Income of Lebanon County, or an annual income range of about $10,500 to $66,500.
Grand Opening of New Affordable Housing Community in Lebanon County
Lancaster, PAThe Apartments at College Avenue are part of a dynamic plan to transform a former urban hospital campus into a mixed-use, mixed-income development, offering a diverse range of residential, retail, and commercial options to meet the needs of the community. Plans include market-rate and affordable housing options. HDC is partnering with Baltimore-based Washington Place Equities on the development, with HDC serving as the developer and owner of the new-construction affordable housing, proposed in two phases and totaling 120 homes on the master site and on two nearby parcels. Total development costs for Phase One of HDC’s development of affordable housing on the site is estimated to cost $15.4 million, one of the largest developments of new affordable housing in the city during the last 25 years.
Recent news and updates are posted at: collegeavenueplanning.com.
Phase one (5-stories; 64 apartments) financing includes a $1.5 million commitment from The Steinman Foundation, and a $750,000 commitment from United Disabilities Services to expand ADA accessibility.
Development will feature twice the typical number of ADA-compliant apartments, to be set aside for individuals with disabilities.
State awards Lancaster nonprofit developers affordable housing money
PHFA awarded $1.25 million for Apartments at College Avenue, Lancaster
Steinman Foundation pledges $1.5 million toward 64 affordable apartments on College Ave
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.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys traveling around the world with her daughter, experiencing diverse food and drink, and learning about different cultures and economies. She loves spending time with her family–including her two cats!
With 25 years of experience addressing the complex needs of lower-income communities and building and leading affordable housing initiatives, Dana Hanchin serves as President and CEO of HDC MidAtlantic. Dana considers the mission of providing affordable housing her lifelong work, driven by a sense of justice and love, to meet the overwhelming need. She earned a B.A in Political Science from Kent State University and M.A. in Urban Studies from Temple University. She is also a graduate of Drexel University’s Leading for Change Fellowship program.
When not working, Dana enjoys riding her bike, mixing amazing cocktails, and taking long walks with her wife and two rescue pups, Ellie and Gabe.
Claude Hicks serves as Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development, responsible for the construction, preservation and acquisition of affordable housing. With over 27 years’ experience, he has dedicated the majority of his working life to providing affordable homes to families and seniors in need. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and Victor Valley College and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Claude hails from North Carolina and enjoys telling family stories from his Mother’s perspective with an endearing southern drawl. In his spare time, Claude enjoys movies, sports and completing “honey-do lists” that never end.
Kimberly brings more than 25 years of non-profit and human resource expertise to HDC. She is committed to creating a culture of excellence at HDC, empowering employees to perform at their very best with passion and purpose and promoting racial equity, diversity and inclusion across the organization. Kimberly earned a B.A. in theater from Franklin & Marshall College.
Kimberly believes in having fun while working hard at something you believe in, like HDC’s mission. While not at work, she loves spending time with her amazing twin daughters and enjoys salsa dancing with her husband.
Chad Martin serves as Vice President of Community Relations, overseeing HDC’s communications, fundraising and advocacy work. He has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector at the board and staff level, working for the common good of the community. Chad is a graduate of Goshen College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Outside of HDC, Chad enjoys reading too many books, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, working with his hands outdoors, and drinking local spirits.