The Apartments at College Avenue: Addressing Affordable Housing Needs in Lancaster, PA
The Apartments at College Avenue represent a significant step towards addressing the critical need for affordable housing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This project, located at 213 College Avenue on the site of the former UPMC hospital in the West End neighborhood, is designed to provide quality housing options for low-income residents, while also contributing to the revitalization of the surrounding community.
Project Overview
The Apartments at College Avenue is a project developed by HDC MidAtlantic. Phase 1 broke ground in January 2024 and focuses on constructing a new building with approximately 64 residential housing units. The rents for these apartments will range from 20% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), making them accessible to a wide range of individuals and families who struggle to find affordable housing options. The building will feature 48 one-bedroom apartments and 16 two-bedroom apartments, with a dozen units designed to be fully handicap-accessible.
Phase 2 of the development will focus on the adaptive reuse of the Delp Wing of the former St. Joseph's Hospital, further expanding the availability of housing and other community resources.
Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis
The need for affordable housing in Lancaster is significant. Due to high demand and limited availability, the waiting list for The Apartments at College Avenue was closed effective April 1, 2025. The closure was a direct result of the overwhelming volume of applications and minimal turnover, which created an unreasonably long waiting period estimated to be at least 3-5 years. This situation underscores the urgency of the project and the importance of creating more affordable housing options in the area.
For those who had already applied: The developers planned to set up appointments to review applications 120 days prior to the community opening. However, it’s important to note that an application does not guarantee an apartment due to the high demand.
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Community Integration and Design
Throughout the planning and design phases, the development team actively solicited and implemented citizen input. This collaborative approach led to various site planning concepts that aimed to integrate the project seamlessly into the existing neighborhood fabric. The project incorporates several features designed to enhance the streetscape, including:
- Street trees
- A landscape strip
- Additional landscape plantings within the project parcel
- ADA pedestrian crossings at College Avenue
These elements were carefully chosen to align with City streetscape standards and to create a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly environment.
Location and Accessibility
The Apartments at College Avenue are strategically located in the West End neighborhood, a vibrant and diverse mixed-income area that has seen considerable investment in recent years. The location offers residents convenient access to a wide range of essential community services, all within a 2-mile radius. These services include:
- Grocery stores
- Banks
- Pharmacies
- Restaurants
- Shopping centers
- Discount retailers
- Major employers
- Public schools
- Day care facilities
- Recreational areas
- Gas stations
- Convenience stores
The proximity to these amenities ensures that residents have easy access to the resources they need to live comfortably and thrive.
A Catalyst for Community Transformation
The Apartments at College Avenue are more than just a housing project; they represent a commitment to community transformation. By providing affordable housing options in a vibrant and accessible location, the project aims to ensure that everyone can participate in and benefit from the revitalization of the West End. The development is seen as a catalyst for further investment and positive change in the area.
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HDC MidAtlantic's Vision
HDC MidAtlantic views The Apartments at College Avenue as the first of several phases planned for the area. The organization is committed to redeveloping the Delp Wing of the former St. Joseph's Hospital, further expanding housing options and community resources. HDC MidAtlantic had hoped to start construction earlier but encountered delays, including a legal battle with neighbors.
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