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Affordable housing development in Lancaster completed

Nine new units of affordable housing were completed recently in Southeast Lancaster by SACA Development.

Located on Chesapeake St. near South Duke St., the Conestoga North townhomes for low to moderate income families were completed by SACA (Spanish American Civic Association) on June 30 as the second phase of a project that has created 18 residences.

Jose Lopez, CEO of SACA and SACA Development, said the project represents more than buildings.

“This is a demonstration of our community’s commitment to invest in its people to provide them with safe, comfortable, and affordable places where they can create a life,” Lopez said in a statement. “The mission of SACA is to uplift and restore marginalized communities through human, economic, and social services while supporting cultural identities. And this is exactly what we have accomplished through the Conestoga North project.”

The first phase of the project began in August 2020 and was finished in June 2021. Each of the new 18 units are occupied. The total project cost $7.5 million and was funded by public and private partnerships.

Grants from DCED, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHARE), federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Home funding through Lancaster City and State of PA, Lift loan from Tenfold (Formerly LHOP and Tabor), financing from Community First Fund, and conventional financing from LinkBank were included in the funding.

With assistance from Community First Fund, SACA acquired the site on Chesapeake St. in 2017 for $320,000.

Units were priced between $155,000 and $175,000. To purchase one of the townhomes, families agreed to a 15-year deed restriction. The agreement restricts owners from selling to families with income limits. The restriction expires after 15 years, allowing longtime owners to sell at market value and gain additional equity.

SACA names CEO; former CEO takes helm of Tec Centro Workforce Network

Lancaster-based SACA announced leadership changes.

SACA, formerly known as the Spanish American Civic Association, named Jose R. Lopez as its CEO, effective July 1.

Former CEO, Carlos Graupera, is now CEO of SACA’s newly formed Tec Centro Workforce Network.

Prior to becoming SACA’s CEO, Lopez served as the president of SACA and SACA development. He brings with him an extensive background in professional services and leadership, primarily in the banking and finance industry as well as in the commercial real estate valuation services sector, SACA said.

“I want to preserve and nourish the best characteristics of SACA, which is quite simply making sure that everybody gets a fair shake in the American experiment. And the breadth of the programs we have created help to do exactly this,” Lopez said. “Looking to the next chapter, I want to continue to move toward being known as a fully inclusive organization that is not just for one demographic, but that truly represents the beautiful diversity of the City of Lancaster and the many hands and hearts that make this community the gem that it is.”

Graupera will lead the Tec Centro Workforce Network (TCWN), which is the primary provider of bilingual education and skills training in Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties.

“My work has always been so much more than a job, so I don’t view the transition as retiring from one role or beginning another. I’m placing SACA in the hands of a younger generation to carry the torch while I continue to do what I’ve always done, now with a slightly different focus. So long as there’s a need to be filled, I’ll continue to work to fill it,” Graupera said.

SACA was established in 1973 with the help of local Catholic charities to provide civic infrastructure and support to meet the evolving needs of the Latino population and enable the general community to engage constructively with the growing Latino community.

Today, the mission of SACA has expanded to serve every ethnicity, age, and ability to restore marginalized communities through human, economic, and social services, while supporting cultural identities, SACA said.

SACA said it has established Nuestra Clinica, a bilingual mental health and drug and alcohol outpatient clinic; SACA Development Corporation, a housing development corporation dedicated to creating affordable homeownership opportunities for inner- city residents; Tec Centro, a workforce development resource providing low-cost education and training; and WLCH Radio Centro, a full-time bilingual (Spanish/English language) educational public radio station serving Lancaster and York.

Lancaster Mayor Sorace highlights investment in affordable housing

Conestoga North at 95 Chesapeake Street in Lancaster – PHOTO/PROVIDED

A vacant, blighted piece of land in Lancaster’s southeast quadrant has been turned into affordable housing filling a need in the community, according to the city’s mayor.

Conestoga North at 95 Chesapeake Street provides income-eligible first-time homebuyers with an opportunity to own a home.

Phase one of the project was completed in 2021 and the last of those nine units was sold in January 2022. Construction on phase two began in June. Each 1,500 square-foot unit includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full basement, and off-street parking.

To showcase the success of the project, state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs Rick Vilello toured Conestoga North Wednesday.

“Having affordable housing available for Pennsylvanians is crucial, and I’m thrilled to see what has been done so far at Conestoga North to help address this need here in the city of Lancaster,” Vilello said during the tour with elected officials and community leaders.

“Increasing the rate of homeownership in this Elm Street-designated Southeast Neighborhood is a great way to increase pride in the community and improve the quality of life for everyone who calls this area home,” he said.

“Housing costs are a top concern for Lancaster residents,” said Mayor Danene Sorace. “The City of Lancaster is making historic investments in affordable housing made possible by federal and state dollars like DCED’s support of the Conestoga North project. Thanks to the Wolf Administration, these dollars are creating much-needed housing units, and I’m thrilled local partners like SACA are putting the funds to work. Let’s ensure this momentum builds.”

DCED provided a total of $1 million in funding towards this project. Most of the funding, $750,000, was provided through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The project also received $250,000 through Keystone Communities Program and a $90,000 investment through Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits.

“DCED is an essential partner for every community seeking revitalization and transformative change,” said Carlos Graupera, CEO of SACA and SACA Development. “This is especially true for diverse and underserved communities. SACA is immensely grateful for the investments DCED has made in a commercial center and in the construction of affordable housing which has significantly advanced the resurgence of the southeast quadrant of our city,”

Since Gov. Tom Wolf first took office, more than $96 million in HOME funding has been provided to 163 projects in 42 counties. HOME program funds can be used in a variety of ways to address critical housing needs, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities such as homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment.

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Affordable housing development in Lancaster completed