2025 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Executive Summary and Purpose
The City of Altoona, Pennsylvania, has prepared this Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) for the period of 2025–2029. This document is required for entitlement communities receiving U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds, specifically the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Programs.
The primary goal of this analysis is to identify any barriers that prevent fair housing choice and to outline strategies to "affirmatively further fair housing. " This update coincides with the City’s FY 2025-2029 Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
Key Personnel and Administration
The document lists the following city officials responsible for the administration and development of this plan:
- Mayor: Honorable Matt Pacifico
- City Manager: Chris McGuire
- Director of Community Development: Eric Luchansky
- Deputy Director of Community Development: Diana White
The analysis was prepared by the Community Development Department, located at 1301 Twelfth Street, Suite 400, Altoona, PA 16601. The document also features the logo of Urban Design Ventures, indicating their involvement in the project.
Scope of Analysis
The analysis focuses on six fundamental conditions that affect fair housing in Altoona:
- The sale or rental of dwellings (public or private).
- The provision of housing brokerage services.
- The provision of financial assistance for dwellings.
- Public policies affecting the approval of sites and building requirements for publicly assisted housing.
- Administrative policies concerning community development that affect opportunities for minority and lower-income households to select housing inside or outside areas of concentration.
Document Structure
The full report is organized into the following major sections:
- Introduction and Background Data: Covers population, race, households, income, poverty, employment, housing profiles, financing, and cost burdens.
- Review/Update to Original Plan: A review of previous plans (specifically the 2020 analysis).
- Impediments to Fair Housing 2025: Details on fair housing complaints, public sector issues, private sector issues, and citizen participation.
- Actions and Recommendations: Proposed steps to address identified impediments.
- Certification and Appendix: Official certifications and supporting demographic data or citizen participation documentation.