Mission & History

BHA started as the vision of two Church of the Brethren (COB) congregations who wanted to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness through housing and counseling provided by congregation pastors. As the organization grew, more COB congregations got involved as “members” and helped to grow the organization by acquiring more properties to serve more families.

 

Once a volunteer run organization, by the mid-1990s, the Board of Directors saw the need for more professional case management support for the families and entered into a partnership with Delta Housing, Inc. BHA and Delta partnered for five years to provide services for 16 families in BHA’s apartments. In 2001, this partnership was dissolved, and BHA began hiring its own program staff to work with the families.

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BHA saw steady expansion of its support base, programs, properties, and staff during the 2000s. In 2007, BHA was awarded a capacity building grant through the White House Office of Faith-Based Organizations. Through this funding, a program review and strategic planning process were conducted. This led to the launch of the 20/20 Vision Campaign, a $2.25 million organizational expansion effort, in 2010. The campaign was successfully completed in 2013 with over $2.52 million raised, housing capacity of BHA doubled, and new programs were launched.

 

In 2014, BHA partnered with PinnacleHealth Systems (now UPMC Pinnacle) for the first new construction project, the Hummel Street Townhouses. This project included three brand new townhomes with a large fenced-in yard and garden behind it - something not often seen in the Allison Hill community.

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Today, BHA operates two programs (Transitions and Next Steps), owns 16 parcels of land for 24 apartments and two houses, employs eight full-time staff members, has 13 member churches, and has many other supporting congregations, businesses, individuals, and grant-making organizations who believe in the work of BHA.

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Additionally, BHA has expanded our housing services by adding permanently affordable housing units throughout Dauphin County. In the last few years, the availability and affordability of housing has plummeted, leaving many families, especially those with poor credit and criminal backgrounds, ineligible for subsidized housing. These properties are rented to BHA graduates commensurate to their income.