Lancaster Students Build Affordable Homes to Address Housing Shortage

Thaddeus Stevens College partners with the city to construct affordable housing units as part of an educational program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:37am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic construction tool repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the collaborative student-led effort to build affordable homes in Lancaster.A student-led initiative to build affordable homes in Lancaster combines community service with hands-on education, empowering the next generation of skilled tradespeople.Lancaster Today

Students at Thaddeus Stevens College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania are building affordable homes to address the county's housing shortage, while also gaining practical experience in trades like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. The initiative combines community service with education, as around 150 students work collaboratively on each home, taking ownership of their work to ensure high-quality results.

Why it matters

Lancaster County is facing a significant affordable housing shortage, with an estimated deficit of over 18,000 units for households earning less than 50% of the county's median income. This student-built housing project aims to directly address this critical need in the community, providing affordable homes for local residents while also educating the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

The details

At the corner of Chesapeake Street in Lancaster City, students are constructing multiple affordable homes as part of this project. The initiative not only provides students with hands-on experience, but the homes also feature high-end components and details to create spaces that residents can be proud to call home. The college is working in partnership with the city to ensure the homes remain affordable, and in most cases, city residents get first priority.

  • The current homes being constructed are nearing completion.
  • Students will begin the process again next door at the start of the next academic school year.

The players

Thaddeus Stevens College

A college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that is leading the affordable housing construction project and providing students with hands-on educational opportunities.

Andre Kelly

A senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College who is participating in the affordable housing construction project.

Dan McCord

A professor and the housing project coordinator at Thaddeus Stevens College, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the building process.

Dr. Kesha Morant Williams

The vice president of academic affairs at Thaddeus Stevens College, highlighting the goal of creating affordable and high-quality homes for local residents.

Lancaster City

The city that is partnering with Thaddeus Stevens College on the affordable housing project, ensuring the homes remain affordable and that city residents get first priority.

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What they’re saying

“It's a different feeling I've never felt before.”

— Andre Kelly, Senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College

“You're building a product that's coming from yourself, so you have a little personality with it because you're working with your hands and it's for someone.”

— Andre Kelly, Senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College

“We all come as a group and just try to see what needs to get done and get it done.”

— Andre Kelly, Senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College

“Even years later, if I passed the house, that's a different type of pride you get with building things with your hands and having a trade like this to bring it to fruition.”

— Andre Kelly, Senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College

“I believe it builds your character and gives you a foundation to do anything.”

— Andre Kelly, Senior carpentry major at Thaddeus Stevens College

What’s next

As the current homes near completion, students are already preparing to start the process again next door at the beginning of the next academic school year.

The takeaway

This student-led affordable housing project in Lancaster not only addresses a critical community need but also provides valuable hands-on education and character-building experiences for the next generation of skilled tradespeople, demonstrating the power of combining service and learning.