Hoverter Homes
In a few years, some public housing in Harrisburg may look a lot different.
The Harrisburg Housing Authority, along with the city, recently received a federal grant to begin to redesign and redevelop Hoverter Homes in South Harrisburg.
The $500,000 grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), would support plans to renovate the 233 units in the housing complex. According to the city, the project would eliminate the current World War II-era barracks-style homes which have stood since 1941 and create a modern, mixed-income development in its place.
“There’s a lot of improvement we can do for this community, mostly for the kids who are growing up here,” said Johan Soto-Santa, development and revitalization manager for the housing authority, in a statement.
According to city officials, the project would redevelop the current public housing, while also incorporating new development of housing for various income brackets.
Officials stated that Hoverter Homes was chosen first for renovation, over Hall Manor, another of the city’s public housing complexes, because it is older and smaller in size. However, there are plans to include Hall Manor in future projects, according to the city.
Over the next two years, HHA and the city will work with Chicago-based urban planning firm COLLABO to engage with the South Harrisburg community and receive input, while putting together a formal plan.
HHA will hold several public meetings, this year and next, for community members to share their thoughts on changes they’d like to see at Hoverter Homes and Hall Manor. Dates and times for those meetings are to be determined.
“This is huge because it gives the residents of South Harrisburg a say in the homes they deserve,” said Dennise Hill, director of building and housing for the city. “There haven’t been upgrades to public housing in Harrisburg since they were constructed (more than 70 years ago), and I’m excited that HHA is taking the lead to remedy those issues.”
Hoverter Homes is located in the area of Sycamore, S. 13th and Hanover streets in Harrisburg. For more information on the Harrisburg Housing Authority, visit their website.
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