A nonprofit aiming to help local residents become landlords who can help solve an affordable housing crunch has set its eyes on the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
A small group gathered last week at a tavern in West Easton to learn what they could do to alleviate the housing shortage in the Lehigh Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nancy Larcom O\u2019Brien, accompanied by her husband and small daughter, introduced Jumpstart Lehigh Valley<\/a> to the gathering. The nonprofit program aims to equip local residents and small investors with the tools to revitalize their neighborhoods with real-estate development.<\/p>\n It\u2019s based on a similar community-centered program developed in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that landlords that are your neighbors make the best landlords,\u201d O\u2019Brien said, \u201cbecause they\u2019re more rooted in the community, and they care.\u201d<\/p>\n She said the idea of the Jumpstart program is to keep real estate more locally based in the Lehigh Valley, so property owners are people who live and work in the area.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re certainly seeking out the type of people who care about community development and try to get them the right tools,\u201d said O\u2019Brien, Jumpstart Lehigh Valley\u2019s executive director.<\/p>\n Jumpstart will offer a developer training program that will run each Saturday morning in May at Century 21 Keim Realtors in Hanover Township, Northampton County.<\/p>\n According to the Jumpstart Lehigh Valley website, the training is designed for aspiring developers, small investors, property owners and community members who want to understand how the development can work from a community perspective. The program will cover development strategy, property evaluation, due diligence, financing, design and construction, project oversight and leasing or sale.<\/p>\n Professionals in the real estate community will share their knowledge and graduates will have access to mentorships. Experience is not necessary. The cost is $150 for the 12\u00bd-hour course.<\/p>\n Jumpstart\u2019s website says the program is supported through volunteer time, low-cost or donated space, modest training fees and small sponsorships. Fundraising is planned beginning for 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at social media, and all of these social media personalities, they\u2019re charging $2,000 for a program like this,\u201d said Vanessa Rivera, a Realtor at Century 21 Keim Realtors. \u201cThe fact that a nonprofit is actually giving the opportunity to the regular Joe, I feel, is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n She said it is a potential antidote to the issue of absentee landlords.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could bring revitalization to some properties,\u201d Rivera said. \u201cLike these blighted properties in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton could potentially be turned around, I think it\u2019s a win-win for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good chance for someone to start a portfolio out of this program.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be a great entrance for them,\u201d Rivera said.<\/p>\n Jumpstart\u2019s origins<\/p>\n