October 21, 2021
Community Basics, Inc. (CBI) is pleased to be collaborating with Moravian Manor Communities (MMC) in bringing affordable housing to the Warwick Woodlands campus. Through a land-lease agreement, MMC will be providing space within Warwick Woodlands for Saxony Ridge Apartments comprised of 62 units of affordable rental housing for low to moderate income seniors aged 62 years and older. “MMC is elated to partner with CBI on a unique project in the historic Borough of Lititz. Our Board of Trustees is committed to exploring creative ways to provide a broad range of services to the seniors in our community. Partnerships, such as working with CBI, make it possible for MMC to widen our service offerings.” As stated by David Swartley, President and CEO of Moravian Manor Communities. The project site is located within Lititz Borough, the Urban Growth Area, and the Core Reinvestment Area as determined by the Lancaster County Planning Commission. The new County Comprehensive Plan, Places2040, identified growth management and housing choices as essential elements in Creating Great Places. Saxony Ridge Apartments contributes to smart growth management by its location within a high-density retirement care community within an urban growth area. The project will add diversity in housing options within the Warwick Woodlands development. The proposed project aligns with many strategies found in Forge the Future 2022, a joint strategic comprehensive plan update by Warwick Township, Elizabeth Township, and Lititz Borough. These strategies include increased development densities within designated growth areas, providing safe and affordable housing opportunities, encourage green building techniques, and promote walkable communities. Providing affordable housing within a mixed income neighborhood, such as the Warwick Woodlands community by Moravian Manor, provides housing opportunities for all income levels. Saxony Ridge Apartments will bring much needed affordable and supportive housing to an area with a growing cost of living and a limited supply of high-quality, cost-effective, rental housing for seniors. The four-story building will be comprised of 44 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom units which include units for mobility impaired individuals needing features such as grab bars, lower switches, front stove knobs and lower thermostats. Additionally, there will be units that are specially equipped with features for the hearing and vision impaired. Ten (10) units will be set aside for seniors experiencing homelessness to contribute to the Lancaster County Commissioner’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. It will serve residents who earn from 20% to 60% of area median income. Furthermore, MMC will provide supportive services which will include continuity and management of care to support full and satisfying lives for community residents. CBI was awarded highly competitive Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) in August 2020. LIHTC are used to generate equity financing, enabling rents to be maintained at affordable levels. The project recently closed on financing with Fulton Bank, Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, PHFA PennHOMES, PHFA Housing Trust Fund, and Tenfold Community Lending. The project also received grant funding from PHFA PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund and United Disabilities Services. Sitework began in August 2021 and completion will be fall of 2022. The apartments will be built to the highest energy efficiency standards utilizing the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready program and Enterprise Green Communities-2015. The building will offer a community room with kitchen, management and supportive services offices, computer room, library, lounge area, fitness room, family game room, coin operated laundry, bike racks and bike storage, and a bocce ball court. Other stakeholders in the project include Lancaster based organizations Cornerstone Design, Ltd Architect and EG Stoltzfus Construction, LLC. Day to day property management and leasing will be performed by CBI’s management division. The transaction was brokered by Rich Wolman and Deepa Balepur of Compass Real Estate. Community Basics Inc. (CBI) is a 501(c)(3) Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) whose mission is to develop and manage affordable rental housing in Lancaster County and surrounding areas. Founded in 1997 to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home, CBI has acquired and developed over 500 apartments in the Lancaster and York County areas that are dedicated to housing working class individuals and families of the community. In addition, CBI manages three properties that provide permanent housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness and suffer from chronic mental illnesses. Safe, affordable, and stable housing is the first step for households on their journey to financial independence.