Housing Development Corporation
of Northeast Pennsylvania
The Housing Development Corporation of NEPA (HDC), a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1984, has extensive experience in developing and managing affordable housing. Additionally, HDC’s homebuyer counseling and mortgage assistance programs increase opportunities for low and low/moderate-income individuals and families to attain their goal of homeownership.
Homebuyer Counseling and Mortgage Assistance
Homebuyers Mortgage Assistance
HDC provides pre- and post-purchase counseling to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.
· Growing Homeowners Initiative.
Working in conjunction with the Luzerne County Housing Trust Fund, this program assists low- and moderate-income families become homeowners by providing closing cost assistance up to $7500 along with free homebuyer education to eligible households.
· Wyoming County Homebuyer Program.
With funds provided by PA Housing Finance Agency, this program has assisted over 20 homebuyers to purchase and rehabilitate existing homes in Wyoming County.
· Wilkes-Barre Homeownership program.
Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funds are being utilized to assist the city of Wilkes-Barre to begin to address the problem of loss of homeownership and destabilization of neighborhoods. Five households have been assisted to become homeowners in the city with this demonstration project
Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
This program assists homeowners who, through no fault of their own, have fallen behind on their monthly mortgage payments. Funded through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, HDC has been a counseling agency since the program's inception in 1984 and a closing agent since 1985. HDC through this program has helped over 3,000 homeowners in Northeastern Pennsylvania prevent the foreclosure on their properties.
HDC also provides counseling to homeowners with FHA insured mortgages under the Loss Mitigation Options Program and the former HUD assignment program. This program has assisted several hundred families with FHA insured mortgages prevent the foreclosure of their properties.
Reverse Equity Counseling
HDC provides counseling to help elderly people retain their homes under the FHA reverse equity mortgage program and the Fannie Mae Home Keeper program. HDC serves as the only counseling agency in Northeastern PA providing counseling under this program.
Fair Housing Outreach and Education
HDC designed a model program to educate disabled people about their rights under the Fair Housing Act and state and local fair housing laws. It also works with communities regarding Fair Housing planning. HDC is also part of the Self-Determination Project of Pennsylvania (SDHP) serving as an affiliate agency. The SDHP is a statewide effort that unites lenders, housing developers, architects, service providers, government officials, people with disabilities and family members to promote affordable, accessible and integrated housing for people with disabilities.
Rental and Special Needs Housing
Rental Housing Assistance
In conjunction with the Commission on Economic Opportunity, a HUD-certified counseling agency, HDC provides counseling to renters who are under the threat of eviction or in need of adequate and affordable housing.
Supportive Housing for the Homeless
HDC provides rental assistance and supportive housing services to 60 formerly homeless persons/families with disabilities in Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties located in Northeastern PA. These competitively obtained HUD funds can provide up to 3 years of rental assistance as part of a comprehensive program including supportive services. These supportive services include, but are not limited to, information and referral, education, employment services, alcohol and drug abuse services, case management, child care, health care, life skills, mental health services, transportation and housing assistance.
New Project Development
HDC has acquired expertise in all phases of project development including planning, financing, implementation, and project management. This expertise is demonstrated in the following projects:
Pine Street Neighborhood. As part of an overall revitalization program of the City of Hazleton, the Housing Development Corporation of Northeast Pennsylvania partnered with the City and Luzerne County to gain control of a three-block site in downtown Hazleton. 25 new homebuyer opportunities were developed geared toward a diverse audience with a range of income levels, utilizing state-of-the-art design techniques that will integrate health, accessibility, operational efficiency, low maintenance, functional living space and aesthetic appeal. These new homes revitalized a sense of community and traditional values, intertwining the charm of a small town environment with the latest design and construction technology. New Homes in the Pine Street Neighborhood is about “Smart Growth,” maximizing existing infrastructure and services rather than contributing to suburban sprawl. The well-established and centrally located Pine Street Neighborhood was a particularly good location for sustainable development. The homes make use of existing power, water and road infrastructure. The site enjoys easy pedestrian access to downtown businesses and mass transit, as well as an adjacent park with playground and sports courts. The Pine Street Neighborhood was recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development with its prestigious Doorknocker Award.
Former convent, Church of St. Gabriel, Hazleton. The $1.8 million restoration and conversion of the former St. Gabriel’s Convent located in Hazleton was completed in 1999. HDC and the Archangel Housing Partners were the co-developers in this adaptive reuse of a historic building, resulting in twelve units of affordable rental housing and commercial space. Public and private funders include Luzerne County Office of Community Development, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, First Federal Bank, Security Savings, PNC Bank and PP & L. HDC now co-owns and manages this property.
Former Schain Department Store, Berwick. In 1995 HDC completed the $2.1 million historic restoration and conversion of a former department store located in Berwick, Columbia County in conjunction with the Greater Berwick Corporation. Twenty-four rental units and three commercial spaces were rehabilitated. The project was financed utilizing the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program with equity provided by the PA Housing Opportunities Fund. HDC co-owns this property with the Greater Berwick Chamber of Commerce.
Former Florence Hotel, Scranton. The $4.2 million restoration and conversion of this former hotel was completed in 1998. HDC served as the development consultant to Catholic Social Services of Lackawanna County in converting this vacant and dilapidated hotel into thirty rental units. This project was financed through Federal Low Income Housing and Historic Tax Credits. CDBG funds were provided through the City of Scranton and equity provided by Edison Housing Investments.
Townhomes at Hanover I and II. Lease purchase options were offered to 75 mixed income families to purchase units in this $6.4 million new construction development in Hanover Township. HDC administered the lease purchases and assisted in obtaining permanent mortgage financing. PA State Treasurer, PHFA, Department of Community Affairs and Luzerne County Office of Community Development collaborated on the financing of this project, completed in 2000.
Rehabilitation of Deteriorating Vacant Properties, Hazleton. Properties are purchased by HDC, which oversees their rehabilitation. The City of Hazleton writes down the purchase price, and HDC sells or rents the units to eligible residents. As part of this program, HDC designed and constructed a model in-fill single-family residence to fit on a narrow urban lot and blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. The Hazleton Vacant Property Program developed 21 rental units and 22 homes for sale. It was funded collaboratively by the City of Hazleton, PA Housing Finance Agency, PA Department of Community Affairs, and the Honesdale National Bank.
Community Housing Development Organization Designation
HDC has been designated as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) through the Luzerne County Office of Community Development since the inception of the Federal HOME Program in the early 1990's and also serves as the CHDO for the cities of Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre. This status positions HDC for critical federal funding for the development of affordable housing in all federal entitlement areas servicing Luzerne County. The focus of this activity has been on developing expanded home-ownership opportunities for first time homebuyers.
HDC also participates in critically important planning processes to increase the supply of and access to affordable housing for area residents. This includes participation in the planning and organization of Luzerne County's HUD Consolidate Plan and its Continuum of Care, the Northeastern PA Continuum of Care processes, overseeing the implementation of projects designed to combat homelessness, participation in the creation of Luzerne County’s Act 137 Housing Trust Fund and Keystone Opportunity Zone, the development of an Infill Housing Program for the city of Wilkes-Barre, the Vacant Property Purchase Program and Pine Street for the city of Hazleton.
Technical Assistance
HDC’s knowledge, experience, capacity for innovation and ability to partner in all phases affordable housing development has put it in the unique position to offer technical assistance to communities and organizations desirous of seeking solutions to local housing problems. Each problem is given the special attention it deserves with the HDC providing assistance on an as needed and negotiated basis.