Newly built, affordable homes are coming to Easton! Less than a month remains until the first "flexible design" affordable house by the Easton Redevelopment Authority is set to break ground. This marks a significant milestone in the two-year process of purchasing abandoned homes, demolishing them, and preparing to construct new, reasonably priced ones. The city redevelopment authority is in the process of constructing over twenty affordable dwellings.
The redevelopment authority and the mayor have placed a high value on reserving lots for affordable housing because Easton is expected to see a large amount of luxury housing constructed. According to Michael Brett, deputy director of the Easton Redevelopment Authority, "it is about controlling it and creating as many chances within the community." Brett stated this on Monday.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. claims that the city is attempting to accommodate working class families who are unable to afford to live in Easton. There is a shortage of "workforce" housing for those who are employed as teachers, police officers, or nurses, although the city's housing authority does supply 600 public dwellings for low-income people. Panto acknowledges that there is a shortage of homes at all levels.
According to Brett, the permits should be obtained in two to four weeks, allowing work at the 322 Coal St. vacant lot to begin in mid-August. The city's affordable housing task committee provided suggestions that the redevelopment authority is implementing. The task team presented a strategy in March 2022 for purchasing abandoned and dilapidated properties and turning them into affordable housing with $4 million in COVID relief funds.
The Redevelopment Authority intends to build six affordable homes on a property on Bushkill Street that will be disclosed soon. The properties include 28 S. Locust St., 21 N. Seventh St., 697 Prospect St., 504 Center St., and 138 Bushkll St. These properties are all going to be partitioned. According to Brett, the city plans to build 22–24 reasonably priced dwellings on the properties.
In 2022, the rehabilitation authority hired Philadelphia's ISA Architects to create the dwellings' designs. Instead of creating designs for every site, ISA developed a "flexible design" that, with a few little adjustments, works for any site. In order to establish a nonprofit housing authority development organization that will be known as HOME Easton, the redevelopment authority is still collaborating with the leaders of the affordable housing task group.
Although they are farther away from construction than the previously listed buildings, other properties are designated for affordable housing through the Easton Redevelopment Authority, according to Brett. The planning stages of 710 Line St. The condemnation process at 360 W. Wilkes-Barre St. is almost over. The city owns the land on William Street, and it must give it to the redevelopment authority. Building will not happen for a few years, Brett stated.
The 20 houses will at least assist 20 families in resolving the affordable housing shortage in the city. Brett stated that the issue is too big for a single government organization to handle. The Greater Shiloh Church is one of the community partners that the Easton Redevelopment Authority collaborates with to address the housing crisis.
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