Pennsylvania CRA Programs: Community Development for the Military

LMI Support for Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses Through Financial Education

GoVA Foundation provides verified CRA community development programs serving military communities across Pennsylvania. Our initiatives connect financial institutions with LMI service members and Veterans through documented Community Development activities eligible for CRA consideration. 

Pennsylvania Military Bases & CRA Assessment Areas

Pennsylvania’s military community development opportunities span four major installations supporting 9,470 active-duty service members, with verified LMI populations creating distinct CRA assessment areas: 

Major military CRA assessment areas include: 

  • Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg (Mechanicsburg) – 4,500 active duty 
  • Naval Support Philadelphia (Philadelphia) – 4,200 active duty 
  • Carlisle Barracks (Cumberland County) – 741 active duty

 

Military Community Development Impact

Approximately 40% of active-duty military households qualify as low-to-moderate income (LMI), representing 3,788 service members who can benefit from targeted military banking services and financial education. Additionally, the state hosts an estimated 4,735 military spouses, calculated as 50% of the active-duty population. Military spouses face persistent employment barriers including frequent relocations, licensing challenges across state lines, and limited career opportunities near military installations. With an unemployment rate three times the national average and 32% underemployment rate, military spouse income challenges often qualify dual-income military households for LMI status even at higher pay grades.

Pennsylvania’s CRA-eligible military community includes: 

  • 9,470 active-duty service members 
  • 4,735 military spouses 
  • 697,655 Veterans 

This verified military population of 711,860 Pennsylvanians presents substantial Community Development grant opportunities through documented CRA programs. 

LMI Military Programs: Supporting Pennsylvania Veterans

The state’s verified LMI veteran population of 139,531 concentrates in key assessment areas: 

  1. Allegheny County – 66,446 Veterans 
  2. Philadelphia County – 59,310 Veterans 
  3. Montgomery County – 34,242 Veterans 
  4. Bucks County – 29,102 Veterans 
  5. York County – 27,828 Veterans 
  6. Lancaster County – 26,679 Veterans 
  7. Westmoreland County – 24,061 Veterans 
  8. Delaware County – 22,782 Veterans 
  9. Chester County – 22,093 Veterans 
  10. Berks County – 20,362 Veterans 

These population centers create distinct opportunities for bank partnerships in these assessment areas through CRA-qualified programs and community development grants. 

GoVA Foundation currently has verified-LMI members ready to sponsor in these counties. Complete the form at the bottom of the page for more details.

Military CRA Compliance & Banking Partnerships

GoVA Foundation’s military financial education programs meet FDIC and OCC requirements for CRA compliance while serving Pennsylvania’s military community. Our military banking initiatives satisfy key CRA requirements through: 

  1. Geographic Assessment Area Qualification:  
  • Verified LMI census tracts
  • Documented banking assessment areas 

2. Military Community Development Activities:  

  • Military-specific financial education programs 
  • Veteran transition planning services 
  • Military entrepreneur development 
  • VA home loan education 

CRA Impact: The Edge Platform

Our CRA-qualified Edge platform serves over 100 active members across Pennsylvania, including 17% verified LMI households. Highest community development engagement in: 

  • York County
  • Philadelphia County
  • Allegheny County
  • Erie County  
  • Berks County 

Military community members receive targeted financial education addressing: 

  • Transition planning for separating service members 
  • Spouse employment and family budgeting 
  • VA home loan education and housing decisions 
  • Small business development for Veterans 
  • Credit building and debt management 
  • Emergency savings strategies for military families 
  • PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Move financial preparation 

Pennsylvania CRA-Qualified Programs from GoVA Foundation

Banks operating in Pennsylvania can leverage our established military CRA grant programs to meet CRA goals while making meaningful impact in military communities. GoVA Foundation partners with banks, who provide community development grants to sponsor financial literacy among the LMI military community. We provide complete documentation for CRA reporting, including: 

  • Verified LMI status of program participants 
  • Census tract confirmation 
  • LMI Community impact metrics  
  • Assessment area alignment 
  • Quarterly progress reports 
  • Annual LMI impact assessments 

Discover immediate opportunities to support LMI military households in your assessment area through our CRA-qualified programs. Our custom reports provide detailed analysis of military demographics, LMI verification, and potential Community Development grant impact through financial education programs. 

Explore CRA Opportunities

Discover the impact potential for your bank’s Community Development initiatives. Our customized report reveals:

  • Number of military households in your assessment area
  • Financial education needs assessment
  • Specific opportunities for LMI community investment

Simply share your assessment area, and we’ll prepare a custom report showing how your bank can support military financial wellness while meeting CRA objectives.

About Our Partnership with TowneBank Mortgage

At GoVA, we’re proud to partner with a lender that delivers peace of mind to those who have served and continue to serve our county. Together, GoVA and TowneBank Mortgage are committed to helping our military service members achieve their dreams of homeownership, as well as providing them with valuable resources along the way. As experienced lenders, TowneBank Mortgage understands the need for a quick and easy mortgage process, especially during life’s transitional moments. Headquartered in Norfolk, just miles from the world’s largest naval base, TowneBank Mortgage has had the honor of helping thousands of military families through their VA loan offerings. Their team is knowledgeable about VA products and the local market, and in-house operations allow them to respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. Together, we can get you to closing in 30 days or less. Trust TowneBank Mortgage and GoVA loans to get you home.

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