Housing

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PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Lebanon County presently owns (*) or operates the following public housing developments:

Name & Location	No. of Units	Opening Date	Occupancy
Stevens Towers* 930 Willow Street Lebanon PA 17046	100	1970	Elderly
Webster Manor* Jonestown Road & Steckbeck Street Lebanon PA 17046	100	1970	Families
Modular Housing* Lafayette & Meily Streets Lebanon PA 17042	60	1973	Families
Washington Arms* 303 Chestnut St. Lebanon PA 17042	60	1976	Elderly
Gloninger Meadows* 21^st & Center Streets Lebanon PA 17042	25	1981	Families
City Scatter Sites* S 11^th St., Federal St. Weidman St., Cherry St. Lebanon PA 17046	39	1985	Families
Cedar Court* South of Metro Drive Lebanon PA 17042	41	1986	Families
Palmyra Interfaith Manor 101 S Railroad Street Palmyra PA 17078	100	1980	Elderly
Markethouse Place 6^th & Willow Streets Lebanon PA 17046	40	1991	Elderly
Palm View West North Avenue Palmyra PA 17078	41	1995-96	Elderly
Quittapahilla Commons 301 West New Street Annville PA 17003	22	1999	Elderly

Another type of housing program operated by the Authority is the section 8 Existing Housing Program, whereby the Authority administers a total of 300 units of rental assistance through Certificate Voucher, and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs. Under this program eligible participants live in a privately owned rental unit, but the Housing Authority using HUD moneys pays a portion of their monthly rent directly to their landlord. This program first began in Lebanon County in 1978 and has grown considerably through the years.

The Lebanon County Housing Authority also operates an Employment Development Program and Hispanic Outreach Program for the County of Lebanon. These programs are based at the Webster Manor Social services office, which is also in chare of administering the County’s Medical Transportation Program for Public Assistance Medical Card Holders.

In a three-night course, the Affordable Housing Council trains first time homebuyers. The board represents realtors, bankers, and the City and County of Lebanon. For more information, contact Betsy Bowman at 273-9326.

COMMUNITY HOMES OF LEBANON VALLEY, INC.

As a non-profit corporation, Community Homes of Lebanon Valley, Inc. is a local sponsor for the elderly housing projects under the Federal Housing Act of 1969. These buildings provide rental housing for middle income handicapped or elderly persons who are 62 years of age or older. Income limits established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are utilized to determine eligibility. The rent is based usually on 30% of a person’s income.

Name & Location	Number of Units
Willow Terrace 8^th & Willow Streets Lebanon PA 17046	100
Poplar Terrace 8^th & Poplar Streets Lebanon PA 17042	76
Tulpehocken Terrace 101 W Richland Avenue Myerstown PA 17067	46
Maple Terrace 7^th & Maple Streets Lebanon PA 17046	20
Oak Terrace 1407 Oak Street Lebanon PA 17042	22
Hill Terrace 732 Hill street Lebanon PA 17042	20

URBAN RENEWAL

In 1959, the County Commissioners instituted the Lebanon County Redevelopment Authority. The function of the Authority is to eliminate slums and blight and to provide land for new development, both public and private, throughout the county. Members of the Redevelopment Authority are the same as those for the Housing Authority, namely: Karl Wolf Jr., Robert B. DiMatteo, Mary Louise Sherk, Neva Luttman, and Earl Grier (phone 274-1401).

One successful project involves 42 acres in the City of Lebanon, formerly Bethlehem Steel, which the City is using for an industrial park, named Progress Park. Old structures have been demolished and land sold off. The land is between Lincoln Avenue and Fourth Street, Lebanon. Lebanon Federal Credit Union, the first tenant, broke ground on October 20, 1994.

Past projects of the Authority include the Northside Neighborhood Development Project to renovate the northside of the City of Lebanon and the Southside Disaster Urban Renewal Project, which removed blight caused by Tropical Storm Agnes (1972) along the Quittapahilla Creek.

CITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

The City of Lebanon received approval from the federal government for a beautification program in the downtown business area. This was a five-year program financed by Community Development funds. The program included the installation of brick paving in the sidewalks, the planting of trees, and streetlights and light standards in Victorian style. In addition, a number of signs and refuse receptacles were placed downtown, as well as some curbing and sidewalks.

COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Trough State funds, the County of Lebanon receives around $400,000 annually for the first time homebuyers program, community development activities, housing rehabilitation, and infrastructure. Applications for communities can be picked up in November and are due by January 15 each year.

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