Community Profile: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Community Organizations

This section provides information about affordable housing, social service, economic development, and community revitalization organizations in the area whose interests, activities, and initiatives improve the housing conditions and employment opportunities of residents. These groups represent potential partners for bankers seeking to more fully address the credit needs of each region’s low- and moderate-income people and communities.

The information in this section is obtained directly from the websites of the community organizations.

Carlisle Opportunity Homes, Inc. (COH)
Center for Employment, Education, and Entrepreneurial Development (CEEED)
Clare House
Community Action Commission (CAC)
Community First Fund
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. (CCCSWP)
Cumberland Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH)
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries (DLSM)
Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area
Habitat for Humanity of Perry County, PA (HFHPC)
Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
Rural Opportunities, Inc. (ROI)
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)
Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (Tri-County HDC)
Urban League of Metropolitan Harrisburg, INC. (ULMH)
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg

Carlisle Opportunity Homes, Inc. (COH)

Mission

COH buys houses that must be repaired, typically in neighborhoods in need of revitalization. Houses are rehabilitated using funding sources that include community development block grant (CDBG) funds and bank financing. Rent is based on tenants’ ability to pay. Some tenants also qualify for a Section 8 rental subsidy. COH has sold rehabilitated houses to tenants through either outright sale or a lease-purchase program.

Year of Origin

1968

Core Programs

Provides help to those who are unable to make the necessary repairs
Provides assistance to rent a safe house or to buy a place to live

Service Area

Carlisle, PA

Contact Information

Carlisle Opportunity Homes, Inc.
114 North Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: 717-245-0516
Website: http://www.carlislehoc.org/cohi/cohi_main.asp

Center for Employment, Education, and Entrepreneurial Development

Mission

CEEED’s mission is to provide comprehensive and holistic assistance to individuals who wish to gain economic stability that is sustainable.

CEEED provides joint agency resources for those seeking a sustainable career and living wage through employment, education, and entrepreneurship. Joint economic development agencies include the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, Goodwill Industries of Central PA, Tri-County OIC Inc., Community First Fund, Firm Foundation, Community Action Commission, and Kaplan Institute. It is sponsored by PNC Bank, the Wachovia Regional Foundation, and the South Central Workforce Investment Board.

Year of Origin

2007

Core Programs

Career counseling
Job search and website access to businesses and openings
Resume development and job retention training
GED/ABE/ESL, financial, job readiness, and entrepreneurship classes
Small business loans

Service Area

South-central PA region, but primarily Dauphin County and the city of Harrisburg

Contact Information

Center for Employment, Education, and Entrepreneurial Development
1301 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-724-4834
Fax: 717-724-4841
Website: N/A

Clare House

Mission

Clare House serves homeless women and children by providing a temporary home in a caring environment, life skills programs, and aftercare support leading to self-sufficiency.

Year of Origin

1980

Core Programs

Residency: Operates transitional shelter facilities that provide housing as well as food, clothing, and personal supplies to homeless women and children.
Case-Management: Provides a structured, comprehensive case-management program.
Financial Management Assistance: Works collaboratively with other local social service agencies to provide information, assistance, direction, savings, and budgeting.
Life Skills Programs: Provides on-site parenting and nutrition education and counseling.
Aftercare Support: Provides support, assistance, resources, and referrals for one year after the program’s completion. It also conducts home visits, sets new goals, and continues to offer services until permanent housing has been obtained.

Service Area

Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties

Contact Information

Clare House
342-344 East Chestnut Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: (717) 291-8967
Fax: (717) 291-6830
Website: http://www.clarehouselancaster.org/

Community Action Commission (CAC)

Mission

CAC’s mission is to create and maximize the resources necessary for individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The commission works primarily with and on behalf of low-income individuals and families in Pennsylvania's capital city region (Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties).

Year of Origin

1966

Core Programs

Provides social services to qualifying families, concentrating on removing barriers to long-term self-sufficiency
Partners with other nonprofit and for-profit organizations to rehabilitate for sale and rental affordable housing units
Provides pre- and post- homeownership counseling to qualifying families
Partners with nonprofit and for-profit organizations to revitalize neighborhoods, including Harrisburg's South Allison Hill neighborhood
Offers the Money in Your Pocket free tax preparation program to income-eligible families with dependent children
Runs the Success Academy, which provides instructor-directed, online adult basic education, including English as a second language (ESL), keyboarding and computer basics, Microsoft Office suite tutorials, remedial math, reading, language arts, and writing
Offers an early childhood development program and day-care services
Provides support and programs for at-risk youth
Coordinates home health and personal care services for qualifying Dauphin County residents in order to help them avoid intensive medical or nursing home care

Service Area

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties

Contact Information

Community Action Commission
1514 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-232-9757
Fax: 717-234-2227
Website: http://www.cactricounty.org/

Community First Fund

Mission

The Community First Fund creates economic growth for its communities by providing equitable financial services, technical knowledge, and advocacy for its customers.

Year of Origin

1992 (Originally called the Susquehanna Valley Community Development Loan Fund)

Core Programs

Operates the Women’s Business Center, which provides training, customized business counseling, loan capital, and advocacy support to small-business enterprises.
Provides a variety of loans to individuals and community-based organizations for starting or expanding small or mid-sized businesses, creating affordable housing units, or developing commercial spaces that will affect the community.

Service Area

13-county area in central Pennsylvania (Adams, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, York)

Contact Information

Community First Fund

Main Office
30 West Orange Street
Lancaster, PA 17603

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 524, Lancaster, PA 17608-0524

Phone: (717) 393-2351
Fax: (717) 393-1757
E-mail: info@commfirstfund.org
Website: http://www.commfirstfund.org

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.

Mission

As a nonprofit incorporated in 1968, Consumer Credit Counseling Service educates consumers about wise money management and the responsible use of credit. The agency assists thousands of people each year through free, confidential counseling and various community education presentations. Because of the services, client's lives are bettered, their family stability is enhanced and the community as a whole benefits.

Year of Origin

1968

Core Programs

Provides private, confidential budget and debt counseling
Provides a debt management program, which enables clients to repay millions of dollars a year to their creditors

Service Area

Dauphin, York, Cumberland, Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Venango, Washington, and Westmoreland counties

Contact Information

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
River Park Commons
2403 Sidney Street
Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Website: http://www.cccspa.org/index.cfm

Cumberland Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH)

Mission

The purpose of CVHFH is to work in partnership with families and volunteers to build houses and to sell the houses to selected low-income families. CVHFH does not sell the houses for profit but expects families to devote at least 400 hours of their own “sweat equity” before they can take ownership of a house.

Year of Origin

1993

Core Programs

Buys properties or receives contributions of properties, then advertises for families who want to own the houses to be built or renovated at the sites
Helps with construction and renovations on the houses and other projects
Holds the no-interest mortgage until the property is paid off

Service Area

From Mechanicsburg to the western end of Cumberland County

Contact Information

Cumberland Valley Habitat for Humanity
39 Heisers Ln
Carlisle, PA 17015
Phone: 717-258-1830
Fax: 717-258-9011
Website: http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/affiliate.aspx?zip=17013

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries (DLSM)

Mission

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries demonstrates God’s command to love thy neighbor through acts of service.

Year of Origin

1868

Core Programs

Offers senior living communities and a range of services for children, youths, families, and older adults

Service Area

Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware

Contact Information

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
Administrative Services Center
798 Hausman Road, Suite 300
Allentown, PA 18104-9108
Toll-Free: 877-342-5667
Phone: 610-682-1262
Fax: 610-682-1055
Website: http://www.diakon.org/Index.asp

The Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region, Inc.

Mission

The mission of the Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region is to promote access to decent, safe, affordable housing, without discrimination, for all people.

Year of Origin

1973

Core Programs

Provides outreach and counseling services to ensure the availability of mortgage loans and other credit to everyone
Offers credit counseling and assists in money management for low- and moderate-income people so that they can qualify for rental housing and/or home ownership
Provides information on landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities and other housing issues
Files discrimination suits to eliminate practices that have a discriminatory or adverse impact on individuals or groups

Service Area

Primarily serving the Harrisburg area, but will provide assistance statewide

Contact Information

The Fair Housing Council of the Capital Region, Inc.
2100 N. 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-238-9540
Fax: 717-233-5001
Website: http://www.pafairhousing.org

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area

Mission

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area renovates and builds houses in partnership with qualifying families. Habitat for Humanity then sells the houses at no interest and no profit, making them affordable for many low-income families. The monthly mortgage payments are then put toward the construction and renovation of other Habitat houses.

Year of Origin

1986

Core Programs

Works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing
Sells houses to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged
Partners with homeowners to repair code violations and keep them in their homes
Provides educational workshops for the community on issues of financial responsibility, predatory lenders, home repairs, and neighborhood security

Service Area

Dauphin County and eastern portion of Cumberland County

Contact Information

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area
900 South Arlington Ave.
Suite 235
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone: 717-545-7299
Fax: 717-545-0096
Website: http://www.harrisburghabitat.org/

Habitat for Humanity of Perry County, PA (HFHPC)

Mission

HFHPC builds houses with volunteer labor and provides families with no-interest mortgages. Families contribute “sweat equity” to their houses and to future projects.

Year of Origin

1998

Core Programs

Works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing
Sells houses to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged

Service Area

Perry County, PA

Contact Information

Habitat for Humanity Perry County Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 397
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
Phone: 717-582-5090
Website: http://www.habitatperrycopa.org/

Housing Development Corporation (HDC)

Mission

HDC has dedicated itself to a public purpose of providing quality housing and expanding residential opportunities for households with modest incomes. In addition to developing real estate for people of all economic levels, as well as for commercial use, HDC continues to strive to meet the growing demand for housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income individuals. With strong support from lending institutions, as well as public and private investors, HDC has been able to aggressively pursue this purpose.

Year of Origin

1971

Core Programs

Provides quality housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.
Engages in development, construction, rental management, and maintenance.
Provides supportive services to residents living in units.

Service Area

Lancaster, Dauphin, Berks, York, Lebanon, and Chester counties

Contact Information

Housing Development Corporation
439 East King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: (717) 291-1911
Phone: (800) 732-3554
Fax: (717) 291-0987
Website: http://hdcweb.com/

Rural Opportunities, Inc. (ROI)

Mission

ROI creates and provides opportunities for farm workers and other disenfranchised people to confront and overcome barriers that systematically prevent them from gaining access to economic, educational, social, and political resources.

Year of Origin

1969

Core Programs

Adult training and employment through many projects, such as the farmworker jobs program
Child development through child & family development, migrant head start, reading is fundamental, and USDA food program projects
Economic development through the Enterprise Center, an affiliate corporation
Emergency and supportive services through the farmworker emergency services and the emergency food & shelter projects
Housing services, such as the ROI homeownership program and the housing technical assistance projects
Real estate development through the following projects: affordable rental housing development, farmworker housing technical assistance, and commercial real estate development
Provides the Seeds of Success financial literacy and entrepreneurship curriculum
Youth education and training through Project YES (Youth Experiencing Success) and Project SAVE (Seeing Alternatives & Valuing Education)
Volunteer initiatives through the board and committee development and the volunteer leadership project

Service Area

Economically depressed areas of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Vermont, and Puerto Rico

Contact Information

Rural Opportunities, Inc.
400 East Avenue, Suite 401
Rochester, NY 14604
Phone: 585-546-7180
Fax: 585-340-3337
Website: http://www.ruralinc.org/English/index.html

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)

Mission

SEDA-COG is a regional, multicounty development agency that provides leadership, expertise, and services to communities, businesses, institutions, and residents under the guidance of a public policy board. SEDA-COG seeks to enhance growth opportunities in an environmentally sensitive manner while retaining the region's predominantly rural character. It is both a direct-service provider and a link to other resources that can be applied to a wide range of community and economic needs. SEDA-COG is also an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.

Year of Origin

1957

Core Programs

Provides assistance to central Pennsylvania's communities to address issues such as housing, recreation, downtown revitalization, and public infrastructure
Provides services including financing, sales to the government, and assistance with exporting

Service Area

SEDA-COG's core service area includes Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. The Procurement Technical Assistance Program and the SBA 504 program also serve the neighboring counties of Adam, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.

Contact Information

SEDA-Council of Governments
201 Furnace Road,
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 570-524-4491
Fax: 570-524-9190
Website: http://www.seda-cog.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (Tri-County HDC)

Mission

Provide housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents in central Pennsylvania by aggressively leveraging public and private resources. Tri-County HDC acts in direct response to the affordable housing needs of the region, as identified by the Commonwealth’s consolidated plan, county housing & redevelopment authorities, county commissioners and other pertinent state and local housing agencies.

Year of Origin

1990

Core Programs

Develops for-sale and multifamily rental housing
Rehabilitates vacant and abandoned properties

Service Area

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties

Contact Information

Tri-County HDC
1514 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-231-3604
Website: http://www.tchdc.net/

Urban League of Metropolitan Harrisburg, INC. (ULMH)

Mission

The mission of ULMH is to enable poor people and members of disadvantaged groups to attain their full potential as productive citizens.

Year of Origin

1976

Core Programs

Education and Youth — works to improve educational opportunity for African-American students through scholarships and academic achievement initiatives
Economic Empowerment — reaches out to people of all ages and financial levels, helping them better their current situation and build for the future

Service Area

Dauphin, Perry, and Cumberland counties

Contact Information

Urban League of Metropolitan Harrisburg
2107 North 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-234-5925
Website (for National Urban League): http://www.nul.org/index.html

YWCA of Greater Harrisburg

Mission

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg emphasizes the empowerment of women and children by providing quality services designed to maximize their spiritual, emotional, educational, and physical development.

Year of Origin

1893

Core Programs

YW Works — a comprehensive employment empowerment service that helps low-income or unemployed members of the community build the skills they need to find, keep, and improve their employment
Housing and Homelessness Programs — offer women an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness in order to achieve self sufficiency
YWCA's Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs — provide a wide array of crisis and counseling services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
Children and youth programs — provides child care and education