Bridgeside Estates delivers 50 brand-new, affordable homes and community amenities off Lehigh Street

Pennrose and Allentown Housing Authority, and project partners today celebrated the ribbon cutting of Bridgeside Estates, the first of the two-phase Little Lehigh public housing redevelopment. Phase I replaces the outdated 1970s-era complex with 50 brand-new affordable apartments and a 4,856 square foot community building.

Speakers at the grand opening celebration included: Julio Guridy, Executive Director, Allentown Housing Authority; Matt Marks, District Director for Nick Miller, District 22, Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Jessica Perry, Director of Development, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; Fadia Halma, Regional Director, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development; Phil Armstrong, County Executive, Lehigh County; Mayor Matthew Tuerk, City of Allentown; Cynthia Mota, Council President, Allentown City Council; Kimmel Cameron, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Underwriting, Hudson Housing Capital; and Jacob Fisher, Regional Vice President, Pennrose, LLC.

Phase I of the redevelopment included the demolition of the site’s nine structures and the development of six new buildings, with a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments for local families available at 20% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The modern units feature fully-equipped kitchens with energy-efficient appliances; full-size front load washers and dryers; large windows, oversized closets, and storage spaces; ceramic-tilled baths; and individually controlled heating and cooling.

Residents will also enjoy access to the new central playground and community building with amenity space, supportive services, community room, on-site management and maintenance, and a Head Start classroom. An important component of the development is the integration of on-site supportive services, which will provide residents with a full array of resources, educational opportunities, and recreational activities.

“We are honored to welcome new and returning residents into their brand-new homes at Bridgeside Estates, which will provide quality, amenity-rich affordable housing for many years to come,” said Jacob Fisher, regional vice president at Pennrose. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Allentown Housing Authority to help alleviate the region’s affordable housing crisis and create sustainable housing options for the next generation of Lehigh Valley residents.”  

In addition to the improved living experience, the redevelopment will benefit the community at-large with improved facades, professional landscaping, and enhanced security.

Project financing includes LIHTC equity, City of Allentown HOME and HOME-ARP funds, Lehigh County Affordable Housing Trust funds (AHTF), Allentown Housing Authority funds, PHARE Housing Trust Funds (HTF) and Construction Cost Relief Program (CCRP) funds from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Redevelopment Assistance Capital Funds (RACP) from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Keystone Communities Program (KCP) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and permanent debt from PHFA.

The Allentown Housing Authority will also be providing 25 Project Based Vouchers to the completed project. Hudson Housing Capital is the syndicator for the project and Santander Bank is the investor and is also providing construction financing.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennrose is recognized for delivering transformative housing solutions across Pennsylvania and the tri-state region. In Allentown, Pennrose developed several award-winning, mixed-income housing communities, including West Turner Residences, the 62+ community on West Turner Street, and Overlook Park, the townhouse-style family community on Hanover Avenue.