Woodward Lofts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a 61,000 sq.ft., 4-storey, 48-unit affordable housing development currently under construction. It is a great example of how hybrid mass timber construction can accelerate delivery while creating healthier, more sustainable homes for residents.
Built on the site of the former Woodward Elementary School in the Allison Hill neighbourhood, the project marks Pennsylvania’s first Mass Timber Tax Credit development, and represents a major step forward for the use of advanced wood construction in affordable housing.
Mass Timber Enables Scalable Affordable Housing
The building incorporates a hybrid structural system combining mass timber and prefabricated panelized framing, creating a highly coordinated approach to design and construction. Mass timber plays a prominent architectural and structural role throughout the building – cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor systems and exposed mass timber elements—including elevator shafts and stair cores, create warm, natural interior spaces while delivering the structural efficiency required for mid-rise housing.
The prefabricated components are coordinated early in the design process to align architectural intent, structural performance, and installation sequencing. This integrated approach reduced construction complexity, minimized material waste, and supported a faster, more efficient build schedule, demonstrating how hybrid mass timber systems can bring greater predictability and performance to multi-unit residential construction.
A Model for Community Investment and Sustainability
Woodward Lofts was developed by the Latino Connection Foundation in partnership with Fernandez Realty Group, with the goal of bringing new investment and quality affordable housing to the Allison Hill community.
The building will provide 48 affordable homes for seniors aged 62 and older, along with a variety of amenities designed to support healthy, community-focused living. Residents will have access to shared spaces including a community room with kitchen facilities, lounges, an exercise area, outdoor gathering spaces, and connections to nearby parks and greenbelt trails.
By combining mass timber and prefabrication with an integrated delivery approach, Woodward Lofts demonstrates a scalable model for delivering resilient, people-centered housing.
