Creating Opportunities in Neighborhood Environments (CONE), Inc. is a non-profit affordable housing developer based in York, PA. Qualifying under the HUD requirements of a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), CONE was created in 2001 and incorporated as a 501(c)3 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Our work has culminated in the creation of nearly 200 affordable rental units utilizing the low-income housing tax credit program. In the City of York, CONE developed and owns (through an affiliate) the Homes at Thackston Park, just west of the College Ave bridge. Phase I of Thackston was constructed in 2013 consisting of 39 family units. Phase II was just completed in 2024 adding an additional 50 units across the street and on the site of the former Codorus Homes, the City's first public housing development. CONE's portfolio in York County includes 45 units in Springettsbury Township co-developed with Lancaster based Community Basics called Waverly Court and 60 units in Dover Township called Village Court. The tract of land in Dover was also used to construct 12 duplexes (24 total units) for affordable first-time homeownership known as Ashley Farms.
The cost to build or renovate units is more expensive than ever, having increased significantly in just the past handful of years, while area household incomes have not kept pace. This makes the demand for affordable housing greater than ever, but the resources traditionally used to finance and subsidize construction have become fewer and are more difficult to obtain. As CONE looks to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year, we are exploring new ways to address the housing and community development needs of our community by focusing on more cost-effective ways to bring new units online and strategically collaborating with others to meet the growing need.