Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS)

PRESERVING HOUSING & HISTORY IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1967

Through a donation to HANDS on Erie Gives Day, you can help us meet the increasing need for affordable housing in our community!

"The number of apartments and rental homes affordable to families living in poverty declined by 400,000 units between 2019 and 2021, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition ... Meanwhile, construction of new affordable-housing units isn’t keeping up with demand ."  Wave of Rental Resets to Further Deplete Affordable Housing, Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2023

At HANDS, we work each day to provide safe, affordable housing to those who need it, while preserving some of our area's most iconic buildings in the process. Your generous support is key to helping us achieve this! Please remember HANDS when making your donations!

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When founded more than 58 years ago, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS) was a volunteer organization whose focus was to help their neighbors with housing needs. Today, HANDS is a private not-for-profit organization that prides itself on "making stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods." HANDS is an organization that believes in a holistic approach for all our residents by coordinating educational and supportive service opportunities to improve the quality of life for families and by providing senior residents the comfort and support of a community where they can feel safe. HANDS prides itself on creating over four dozen housing developments resulting in the production of more than 1,000 units of affordable housing in Northwestern Pennsylvania. 

HANDS continues to both develop much-needed new affordable housing units, as well as preserve existing affordable housing communities.

 OUR COMMITMENT

HANDS is committed to making stronger and more vibrant neighborhoods in partnership with the communities it serves through the development and management of quality affordable housing. In addition to the new construction of affordable housing, HANDS has a tradition of selecting the ideal buildings to rehabilitate, creating unique living environments while keeping the monthly cost affordable for our residents. 

HANDS is committed to serving members of the community including individuals living with disabilities,

senior citizens, veterans, and families or individuals who can benefit from the assistance of quality affordable housing.

OUR VALUES

At HANDS we are:

INCLUSIVE - Diverse viewpoints are invited and welcomed and are considered during decision-making.

HOSPITABLE -Residents and guests are welcomed and treated with respect and are given consideration for our time and resources.

GOOD STEWARDS - Human and capital resources are treated with respect; people are treated with dignity; and financial resources and property are used wisely and prudently.

NEIGHBORLY - Actions taken inside and outside of our buildings affect our residents and surrounding neighbors and the impact is considered before acting.

PROACTIVE - Needs and problems are anticipated and solutions are developed in advance of a crisis or gap in service; contingency plans are in place to minimize the impact on residents, staff, and the community.

RESPONSIVE - Responding to co-workers, residents and the public is a sign of respect and is done in a timely manner.

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If you or someone you know is in need of safe, affordable housing, please visit our website - we are now accepting online applications!