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By President/CEO Larry Zook in conversation with Evon Bergey, Vice President of Community Initiatives

Landis Homes is part of Landis Communities. Together we provide an increasing range of Comforting Live at Home Services and Feel at Home Communities®. Recently I interviewed Evon Bergey, who serves as Vice President of Community Initiatives, about the ways Landis Communities is growing its mission of “Enriching Lives” for an increasing range of people throughout Lancaster County.

Landis Communities is working to expand its reach to those who do not have the resources or who choose not to live in retirement community settings. What are ways this is happening?   Mountain View Terrace, an affiliate of Welsh Mountain Home, is Landis Communities first effort in providing homes for seniors who have limited income. Within a few months of opening, Mountain View Terrace was filled and there are a significant number of persons waiting for those apartments. Several additional opportunities are being investigated. We are working with HDC MidAtlantic, who manages Mountain View Terrace, and are excited about an effort taking shape in Millersville. Plans are being submitted for the development of 60 new high-quality affordable senior housing apartments funded primarily through Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

Where would this be located? These apartments, called Manor View Terrace, would be located adjacent to Immerse International in Millersville. Landis Communities and Immerse were both programs with roots to Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM), as Landis Homes and Millersville International House, respectively. Millersville International House was founded in 1987. For 30 years, it has been a multicultural community where international students have opportunities to develop academically, professionally and personally. It is only a short walk to shopping and medical services and is located near a bus route.

What is the timetable for this project? The application for funding will be submitted to Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in October. Since most applications are not awarded funding on the first application, a second cycle might be needed in September of 2018. A projected closing date would be in September 2019, with the building opening in early 2020. We have experienced partners working with us and are looking forward to this new effort.

Affordable Housing is one part of your work in Community Initiatives. Another part of your work is with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).  In what ways is Landis Communities already involved in HCBS? We have been involved in these efforts for a long time, beginning with Adult Day Services 28 years ago. When you add Landis at Home, Pathways Institute for LifeLong Learning® and the Children’s Learning Center, HCBS is a growing part of what we do. In fact, we are seeking team members for Landis at Home to help us grow our efforts in providing care wherever people choose to live!

Is anything else in the development stage? Yes! We are working with a variety of congregations, organizations and individuals who are thinking creatively with us about how to provide services and living opportunities clearly needed in this area. We also are doing strategic visioning work this Fall in the HCBS area. We ask for your prayers as we connect with these folks. We invite input and questions as we work on new models.

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