Who We Serve

Who are Lancaster’s middle-income renters?
They’re people making 50–80% of the area median income.

They might be home health aides, delivery drivers, first responders, mechanics, waiters, or factory workers. In other words, they’re essential to our local economy and way of life.

While middle-income jobs used to provide a middle-class lifestyle,

the cost of housing in Lancaster County is making it harder and harder for these workers to get by.

Housing Cost vs. AMI in Lancaster County 1, 2, 3

  1. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Estimate of Median Household Income for Lancaster County, PA ↩︎
  2. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, All-Transactions House Price Index for Lancaster, PA (MSA) ↩︎
  3. United States Census Bureau, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ↩︎

Meet
Tasha

A person wearing a beige work jacket stands confidently in a factory workshop surrounded by industrial machines and tools, with bright lights illuminating the space—a hardworking spirit akin to those driving affordable housing initiatives.

Occupation Maintenance Technician

Although Tasha works what many would consider a good job, she’s always coming up short. There are no cheaper childcare options. She’s lucky if she can pick up any overtime. And the groceries, even at Sharp Shopper, just keep getting more expensive. Something has to give.

monthly take-home pay

$3,386

63% of AMI (two-person household)

Monthly expenses

$3,520

Two-bedroom
apartment rent

$1,230

Utilities

$140

Transport

$350

Groceries

$350

Insurance

$670

Childcare

$780

Meet
Jenna

A smiling healthcare professional dressed in a navy scrub, standing confidently with arms crossed in a bright, modern medical environment.

Occupation Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

The recovery room runs on people like Jenna—calm, focused, and always three steps ahead. But at the end of her shift, Jenna walks out to a car that might not start. Last week, she found out her rent is going up. And her student loans aren’t going anywhere. It’s a lot for one person.

monthly take-home pay

$3,306

66% of AMI (one-person household)

Monthly expenses

$2,840

One-bedroom
apartment rent

$1,450

Utilities

$330

Transport

$120

Groceries

$310

Insurance

$270

Student Loans

$200

Prescriptions

$160

Meet
Carlos

A man in a blue sweater stands smiling in a bright classroom, holding a marker. Several students are seated at desks in the background, focused on writing or reading about the impact of affordable housing initiatives.

Occupation Fourth Grade Teacher

Carlos cares about the students he works with, and he truly loves his job. Unfortunately, love doesn’t pay for diapers and baby formula. His wife, Zoe, stays home with the twins—because daycare would cost almost as much as she’d make cutting hair.

monthly take-home pay

$3,400

52% of AMI (four-person household)

Monthly expenses

$3,280

Two-bedroom
apartment rent

$1,400

Utilities

$130

Insurance

$380

Transport

$670

Student Loans

$400

Groceries

$300

Let’s prioritize housing for our

Hardest working neighbors.

While there are many barriers to more affordable apartments, project financing has become one of the biggest. We’ve developed a new model—and a goal of adding 350 new middle-income rental units in the next five years.

Learn More
Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood featuring affordable housing, winding roads, green parks, and a highway on the right, all bathed in the glow of a bright, setting sun.