FORKS TWP., Pa. – More than 11 acres outside Easton are set to become affordable housing for dozens of families.
Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity plans to fill what is now an empty Forks Township field near Lafayette College's baseball stadium with 50 new houses, which would eventually be sold to low-income families in need.
- Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity plans to turn an 11-acre field in Forks Township into 50 homes for low-income families
- The land is located between Kesslersville Road and Sullivan Trail near Lafayette College's baseball stadium and Braden Airpark
- Northampton County spent $1 million to buy the land; Lehigh Valley Habitat contributed $300,000
To be eligible for a house, a family must make less than roughly $49,000 a year, have lived in the Valley for the last 12 months and show that their current housing situation is inadequate. Once selected, a Habitat family has to take classes in home ownership and volunteer for 250 hours with the organization to get the keys.
Homeowners make payments on a 0% interest mortgage, which Habitat usually keeps below a third of their monthly income, according to the organization’s website.
Northampton County paid most of the $1.3 million price tag for the land, which sits between Kesslersville Road and Sullivan Trail. Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity kicked in $300,000.
According to county records, the land was appraised at $3.9 million.
The land’s former owners, Thomas and Antoinette Dietzler, are selling it below market value as an in-kind donation to Lehigh Valley Habitat, according to the county ordinance authorizing the purchase. Thomas Dietzler also owns Two T’s mini golf, which backs up to the land he just sold.
The empty field in Forks Township is still a long way from becoming housing. Northampton County spokesperson Becky Bartlett said the goal is to break ground on construction in 2023.
Northampton County will continue to support the project by helping Lehigh County Habitat find grants and other sources of additional funding, Bartlett said.
Representatives for Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
