Erie-based non-profit, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service or HANDS, celebrated the opening of their new building, the Emma Howell Apartments at 1319 Parade Street, which is named after the first Black female homeowner in Erie.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an significant event on a number of levels, the number of funders to come together to fund it, the history that\u2019s involved in this location, and the city of Erie being a station on the underground railroad with the Ford family and the Howell family all coming together in one event, it\u2019s a lot to celebrate here,\u201d HANDS CEO, Matthew Good said.<\/p>\n
American Cornhole Organization World Tour comes to Erie <\/a><\/p>\n Emma Howell\u2019s story was rediscovered after years of meticulous research and will now be memorialized through a historical marker placed in front of the building that shares her story and how the location was known as a place for shelter and safe passage to those seeking freedom.<\/p>\n \u201cThe important part of this is that this is on the property that she owned\u2026 when we found out that they were going to have this building and that it was going to be on the property where she hid and helped fugitive slaves \u2014\u00a0that was very big\u201d, Kevin Johnson, a local historian who studied Emma Howell\u2019s legacy said recalling the full circle moment when he learned what her property would become today.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s still sheltering people, she was doing it 200 years ago and she\u2019s doing it today,\u201d local historian Johnson said, highlighting Emma Howell\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n In the early 1800\u2019s, Howell owned 45 to 50 acres of land, which she used to help fugitive slaves get to freedom. Now, HANDS will use part of that land to serve those facing homelessness or disabilities.<\/p>\n The Emma Howell apartments have four units available, and HANDS has officially begun accepting applications<\/a>. This redevelopment replaces one of many buildings in the area affected by blight, and the CEO of HANDS, Matthew Good, says this redevelopment represents what reinvestment should look like.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n