Recently, Valley Youth House officially celebrated the grand opening of Manor Youth House, a new supportive housing community in Lancaster, PA. For young adults aging out of the foster care system, the transition to independence can feel like walking a tightrope without a safety net. Manor Youth House is here to change that. 

Located on the 700 block of Manor Street, this newly constructed three-story apartment building will provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for up to nine young people (ages 18 to 25) as they build the foundations for their futures. 

This milestone was made possible through a partnership with Community Basics, Inc., the Lancaster-based nonprofit who brought this $3.3 million project to life. While they built the foundation, Valley Youth House is thrilled to partner with them to manage the programming, bringing our decades of transitional housing and educational expertise to Lancaster’s young adults. 

“Solving the affordable housing crisis takes all of us working together, and Manor Youth House is one example of that,” said Lisa Greener, Executive Director at Community Basics, Inc. 

We were honored to celebrate the grand opening alongside an inspiring turnout of local leaders who have supported this project from day one, including Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo, State Representatives Izzy Smith-Wade-El, and Nikki Rivera Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder.

Manor Youth House is designed to meet young people exactly where they are and help them grow. Residents can stay in the program for up to two years, giving them the breathing room they need to focus on education, career goals, and life skills. The building layout itself is designed to foster both community and independence:

• The building’s first floor will serve as the “hub” for our dedicated Valley Youth House staff who offer on-site supportive services, counseling, and case management 
• The building includes six single-room occupancy units with shared living spaces where residents can build community
• There are also three independent one-bedroom apartments. As residents demonstrate maturity and independence, they can “upgrade” to these apartments while still maintaining full access to our on-site support

The reality for young people experiencing housing instability is difficult. According to Deb Jones, director of the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, over 200 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 interacted with the county’s homelessness system in a single year. At Valley Youth House, we know that vulnerability doesn’t end when a young person turns 18. By providing stable housing and consistent mentorship, we can prevent chronic homelessness before it even begins. 

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the community partners whose funding made this dream a reality including the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency, the High Foundation, SoWe Neighborhood, and the City of Lancaster. We can’t wait to watch the incredible things the future residents of Manor Youth House will achieve! 

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