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1528 West Apartments, a newly completed affordable housing community in Allentown. PHOTO/HBC
Grand opening held for affordable housing apartments
Stacy Wescoe//March 24, 2025//
HDC MidAtlantic recently held a grand opening for 1528 West Apartments, a newly completed affordable housing community in Allentown.
The new apartments are a $19 million investment that is providing 49 affordable apartments for seniors aged 55 and older, with a dedicated set-aside for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in partnership with the Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center.
The community features 35 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments. With 235 applicants, the demand for affordable housing in the county remains high, said HDC President and CEO Dana Hanchin.
“1528 West embodies the American dream—that everyone should have the freedom and opportunity to succeed and live a better life,” said Hanchin. “Designed to foster independence, this community provides a supportive environment for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk spoke at the ribbon cutting.
“But we cannot stop here. We need continued investment in affordable housing across our city and county,” said Tuerk. “And in a time when ‘not in my backyard’ is a popular phrase, I’m happy to say not just ‘yes, in my back yard’, but “let’s build it in the front yard.”
Developers said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs created significant challenges in reaching closing.
However, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency supported the project with $1.9 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and other funding.
Additional funding was secured through CREA, Fulton Bank, the City of Allentown, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the American Rescue Plan Act, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Program, M&T Bank, and Mid Penn Bank.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house took place on World Down Syndrome Day.
