The Norton Avenue First Baptist Church in Bristol, PA, about 20 miles north of Philadelphia, has been in operation for 62 years. The Church offers programs for youth, parents, and residents of all ages, and their pastor, James Evans, is the Executive Director of the nonprofit No Longer Bound Prevention and Training Services. No Longer Bound focuses its efforts on disadvantaged and at-risk communities, providing free programming for issues such as parenting, addiction, and youth services. The church and associated nonprofit also have a food bank that serves 25,000 meals per year.
The Norton Avenue First Baptist Church congregation saw the need for more affordable housing for seniors living in the Bristol area and responded. According to the Bucks County Office of Housing and Community Development, the county wants to build more affordable housing but faces obstacles including funding, municipal zoning laws, and gaining public support. The Church worked with a for-profit developer to bring the proposal to the community to begin a construction project.
The result of that work is the Lighthouse at Norton Avenue, a new affordable senior rental community that will soon open in Bristol. This community will offer residents 55 and over one and two-bedroom apartments set at 20-60% AMI based on Bucks County income limits. This community is currently under construction with more information to follow.
Pastor Evans said the facility is much needed in the area, citing inflation and rising housing costs, stating
“This is needed. In fact, somebody needs to step up and provide what our seniors need.”
Plans call for 53 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units. Nine units will be market-rate units and 47 will be affordable housing units. The Lighthouse on Norton Avenue building will have a community room, arts and crafts area, fitness room, medical suite, a rooftop deck, resident services office, and maintenance office.
The project will be partly funded through government financing programs for affordable housing.
Regional Housing Legal Services guided the Church and No Longer Bound through the long and complicated process of partnering in a low-income housing tax credit deal. RHLS attorneys negotiated the joint venture agreement, oversaw the formation of the NLB single-purpose entity to participate in the deal, reviewed the transaction documents to protect NLB’s interest and its nonprofit purpose, and met with NLB’s board and officers many times to review the deal structure and coordinate the mechanics of closing on the financing. RHLS’s involvement facilitated coordination with deal stakeholders and enhanced the nonprofit’s credibility with funders, investors, and community partners by facilitating a well-structured and compliant transaction.
Apply for the waiting list: https://livebirchwood.com/communities/the-lighthouse-at-norton-avenue/
Check out this quick video of the construction site!