LHANDS

LHANDS Update

Lancaster Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (we call it "L-hands"), founded by members of Grace Lutheran Church in 1998 as a non-profit corporation, received 501(c)3 status from the IRS in 2000. In 2004 we were approved as a CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization - "chodo"), based on our work in a neighborhood which is a HUD-designated revitalization area, as well as our commitment to renting or rehabilitating and selling homes to folks who earn at or lower than 80% of Area Median Income (called "Low-Mod. Income Families). Our volunteer board is made up of Pastor Stephen Verkouw of Grace Church, and six other members of the congregation.

Our mission: to acquire and maintain real properties in the area of N. Queen and James Streets in order to work to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood by rehabilitating and improving the appearance of housing units, to pursue justice by implementing fair and reasonable rental agreements with tenants who are in need of low-cost housing, and to extend the mission of Grace Lutheran Church by providing opportunities for her members and neighbors to engage in acts of charity and outreach on behalf of others.

Sept. 1998 Organization and Founding Grant
($95K) from Grace Lutheran Church
Nov. 1998 Purchased First Property
24 E James St. Office leased to Bridge of Hope, an agency providing shelter to independent living assistance to single women and children; apt. leased to a Bridge of Hope client.
Mar. 1999 Purchased Second Property
Next to church office 521 N. Queen (Sec. 8 tenant)
Oct . 2000 Achieved Tax-Exempt Status
May 2001 Awarded $25,000 Grant from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "In the City for Good" Program
Fall 2001 Strategic Planning Process Consultation with Enterprise Foundation
Dec. 2001 Received Gift of House 36 W. James for rehab project from Shenk Estate
June 2002 Purchased Third Property
16 E. James - 2 unit, 2 low-income family tenants; Part of "Control, Repair and Manage" strategy for potential problem properties in neighborhood
May 2002 Began Rehabilitation Project - 36 W James
Total Rehab Construction Financing from Community First Fund
Feb. 2003 Home Sold
Closing on first rehab. project, Conversion from 3 to 2 units,
Sold to live-in owner/landlord
Jan. 2004 CHDO Application for HOME-funded Acquisition and Rehab, Proposal to acquire, rehab and market 510 -512 N. Queen St. for sale to live-in landlord/first time homeowners.
Proposal to acquire 30-34 W. James St, demolish vacant block bldg and create neighborhood park. (Tie-in with JSID plans for development in ball park area)
April 2004 CHDO Application Approved by City of Lancaster
$50,000 grant from City approved for a Rehab-Resale Project
Summer 2004 Project Revisions and Investigations
510-512 N. Queen no longer available
43 W. James proposal - blighted property awarded to young couple instead
416 N. Queen - property already under agreement
We're still looking!!
Fall 2004 Purchased Fourth Property
18 E. James St acquired - three rental units, all filled at time of sale
Spring 2005 Upgrades and Repairs
Upgrades to 16 E. James in accordance with City Inspection
upgraded electrical service, 10 year smoke det.
Upgrades to 521 N. Queen - renovation of bath - new tub/shower and floor.
HOME Grant returned to City - no viable properties for low-cost acquisition remaining in neighborhood.
Fall 2005 Refugee Resettlement Project
Joint effort of the city Lutheran Churches to resettle Meskhetian Turkish refugee family. Over 45 persons participate in complete renovation of 16 E. James, St, Apt. 2. New or sealed roofs on 24, 18, and 16 E. James
Summer 2006 Renovation of 18 E. James Apt. 3
Bob D. agrees to manage properties; coordinates complete renovation
of vacant apartment
Fall 2006 Renovation of 18 E. James Apt. 1
Bob and a volunteer crew from Grace and Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church completes a renovation of the next vacant apartment.
Winter 2007 Grace Church Approves Major Grant
The congregation approves a $190,000 in order to pay off all remaining mortgage debt. Cash flow improves! Three new high efficiency gas boilers installed to lower utility costs.
Summer 2007 Renovation of 24 E. James Apt. 1
Bob leads his team of renovators to convert this apartment from office to residential use. All eight rental units are finally occupied for the first time!

	Grace Lutheran Church *Worshipping with the Saints -- Seeing Christ in others* Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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Grace Lutheran Church -- 517 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 -- (717) 397 2748