EASTON, Pa. — A longstanding church on Easton’s Ferry Street has been reborn as an affordable living apartment building with help from a local nonprofit.
On Wednesday, transitional housing organization Safe Harbor cut the ribbon on the revamped Italian Presbyterian Church at 824 Ferry St.
Now, instead of worshippers, the building will welcome individuals and families in need of housing assistance as they work their way to a better future, officials said.
It also will help them build up better references and establish hallmarks which will help them secure housing after they leave the space, they said.
"... It's just really wonderful and to see a building like this with such a rich city history that was sitting unused, converted into four beautiful units for such a deserving group."Safe Harbor Director of Development Sarah Stehlin
As officials from Easton’s Redevelopment Authority, along with Mayor Sal Panto Jr., city and county politicians looked on, RDA Deputy Director Michael Brett said, the residences are not shelters, but something much more.
“They're not completely independent, but they kind of fill that little void between graduating from transitional housing and being fully independent,” Brett said.
“So I liken it to, if transitional housing is a ship, instead of kicking them off and saying, ‘Go find land, you know how to swim now,’ this is kicking them off, throwing them a life preserver and a compass and saying, ‘Land is due east. You can do this.’
“And that's what these units are supposed to be for, to get them set up for true stability after their two year stay with us.
"They'll have great tenant-landlord references a solid credit score, and all the tools that they really need to go out and be part of the Easton community. The stable housing.
"And then we'll get the next set in.”
From church to affordable housing
The Italian Presbyterian Church was established in the West Ward in 1923, and lasted until 1954.
Since that time, it served as a house of worship for two other Christian-based parishes before officially shuttering in 2021.
Subsequently, a private developer bought and gutted the building, and in 2022, it was put up for sale, with the RDA stepping in to flip the structure in affordable housing.
The RDA joined forces with Safe Harbor of Easton to help extend the continuum of care, assisting those graduating from transitional housing programs with jobs and skills, but still struggle in the rental market because of past evictions, low credit scores and short work histories.
Architect Scott Voelker was tasked with designing the apartments with RDA’s vision in mind: Four rental housing units in a townhouse style, with maintained exposed trusses, and loft spaces for extra living areas.
Remaining framing was completely removed after the RDA took ownership, a foundation was poured in a step configuration to accommodate the grade and the new front entrances off Mulberry Street, and the units were framed as structures within the shell.
Funding came from the city of Easton, Northampton County and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Construction was handled by Eggmanink Designs and CMG of Easton Inc. and Second Harbor of Easton served as the community partner.
The end product holds four 700-square-foot units.
All have one ground-floor bedroom and loft space with one full bath, energy efficient split-unit heating, a full kitchen appliance suite and a washer/dryer combo system.
Also, open space that welcomes light and commercial-grade materials for longevity and a modern feel.
'Safe, clean, affordable housing'
Panto commended the RDA and Safe Harbor for their work on the project.
He pointed out the transformation and change in what was once the Italian neighborhood and applauding the work done to accommodate those in need.
“I want to thank Mike for putting this together," Panto said. "It's a great project. I've been through it when they were under construction, and I think you'll really appreciate the value that it adds to the community."
City Councilmen Ken Brown and Frank Pintabone and Councilwomen Taiba Sultana and Crystal Rose also wereon the scene, with Pintabone and Sultana working alongside Home Easton on affordable housing initiatives.
“This is a great testament to the city's dedication to all people. We have high end units coming in downtown," Pintbone said.
"We have an ordinance that I'm bringing forward to promote workforce housing for the forgotten middle class, and now we have programs for our unhoused population who are trying to get back to where they once were."
“So that's the commitment the city, the RDA and all of our partners have for everybody: putting residents first.”
Brett thanked Northampton County for its help securing vital Community Development Block Grant funding to bring the project to completion, alongside the city and the PHFA.
'Truly deserve a second chance'
Northampton County Executive Director Lamont McClure also applauded participants’ efforts.
“I want to also acknowledge the city's bravery in combining their CDBG funds, their Home funds, with the county’s," McClure said.
"That has allowed us to amplify our ability to do these projects, and it has also allowed us to spend money. So the county, if the city had its own designation, the county would not be able to spend money in the city in CDBG.
"These projects are wonderful. They make the community safer, healthier and more stable for everybody, and that's just going all the way around.”Safe Harbor Director of Development Sarah Stehlin
“But because of this innovative partnership, we've been able to spend money, and we're so gratified to be able to do that, because Easton is becoming a shining beacon for why people want to live in Northampton County.
"With respect to the Redevelopment Authority — they are doing terrific work — if they're the stepchild, we’re happy to be the stepdad.”
Safe Harbor Director of Development Sarah Stehlin said there is a common notion that housing can be either safe or affordable, but that the refreshed Italian Presbyterian Church proves those elements need not be mutually exclusive.
“The work that the county has done, the city, the RDA, all coming together to provide safe, clean, affordable housing to folks who truly deserve a second chance," Stehlin said.
"It's just really wonderful and to see a building like this with such a rich city history that was sitting unused, converted into four beautiful units for such a deserving group of hard working people that are either moved in or moving in here this week is incredible.
“We're very grateful that they extended this partnership for us. And you know, we just want to reiterate that we're here.
"These projects are wonderful. They make the community safer, healthier and more stable for everybody, and that's just going all the way around.”
