Credit: Sen. Steve Santarsiero’s Office
The former St. Thomas Aquinas School site, most recently home to the vacant school off Walnut Avenue, is being transformed into three new homes in Bristol Township’s Croydon section.
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County kicked off construction for three single-family homes on Wednesday, promising affordable housing and brighter futures for local families.
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The groundbreaking ceremony brought together local businesses, builders, the community, government officials, politicians, and houses of worship.
“Certainly, this is a bittersweet time for the families of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. It is sweet, in that from this property, three new homes will be raised to serve the greater good, making quality, affordable homes available in our community. We are grateful to be part of this initiative and to partner with Habitat for Humanity,” said Rev. David Fernandes, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas parish.
Florence Kawoczka, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, emphasized the organization’s mission goes beyond bricks and mortar.
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“At Habitat Bucks, we build more than just high-quality, energy-efficient homes. We are laying foundations that will stand the test of time, ensuring a legacy of secure and stable homes for generations to come. There is, without question, a positive ripple effect upon the entire community,” she said.
Kawoczka explained efforts were made to reuse the school building, but the option wasn’t suitable.
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Backers for the project include the County of Bucks, the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County, and companies and organizations like Blue Rock Construction, Parx Casino, Penn Community Bank, Pulte Group, Woodside Church, and William Penn Bank.
The project’s funding got a boost from a grant courtesy of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority, a joint effort championed by State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat; former State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, a Republican; and State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat.
The homes are the first built under the nonprofit’s new land trust model.
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Earlier in the year, Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County Marketing Director Colleen Brink said the nonprofit was having difficulties in securing suitable properties due to escalating costs and a strong local real estate market. This led to the nonprofit moving to the new model.
Under the previous system, eligible families purchased homes through Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, paying a manageable mortgage rate. When these families opted to sell, they would list the home at its market value and reimburse the county for the subsidy that facilitated the home’s construction. Subsequently, Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County would allocate this subsidy to assist another family.
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However, according to Nikki Verwoerd, a project manager at the Bucks County Department of Housing and Community Development, which collaborates with the nonprofit, “Once the home is resold, it’s no longer accessible for another qualified family.”
Under the newly introduced community land trust model, Habitat for Humanity will retain land ownership, selling the homes to eligible families at affordable prices. These families are then responsible for the upkeep and taxation of both the home and the associated land.
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If homeowners choose to move from a home established under the land trust model, the family has pledged to offer the house to another qualified buyer from Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County at a reasonable price.
Publisher Tom Sofield contributed to this article.
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