Want to know more about buying a home? Hundreds of people have registered for a seminar at the church in Easton
With home prices soaring in the Lehigh Valley, first-time home buyers are clamoring for all the information they can get to make an intelligent decision.
Three hundred people have already registered to attend a housing counseling and financial empowerment seminar taking place at the Church of Greater Shiloh on Saturday.
“This is the biggest housing fair in the last 40 years or possibly ever in Easton since I’ve been here,” senior pastor Phillip Davis said.
Each month, the church hosts events to promote its annual theme, “Fighting for the Family.” This month, the church takes a close look at family financial issues. What started as a small event has spread by word of mouth and on social media to become a highly sought after program for people looking to improve their financial literacy.
The program has grown so large that it is now spread over two buildings: the church at 403 Pastor Fred Davis Street, and the church building across the street. The church is on the south side of Easton.
“Our goal is to share information about economic empowerment and housing is a very big part of that,” Davis said.
Fulton Bank and Coldwell Banker will discuss home buying at the event. The Lehigh Valley Community Action Committee and a certified investment counselor will discuss wills, financial planning, saving for college, and other money-related issues.
The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 26. It’s free but you must register in advance on the church’s website.
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said providing affordable housing is one of the main issues facing the city. Its Affordable Housing Task Force recently unveiled a $4 million plan calling for a housing development corporation, a hybrid community bank, and initiatives to purchase properties for rehabilitation and land on which to build affordable homes.
The church has a member on the mayor’s task force. Davis praised the mayor’s commitment to help provide affordable housing.
“He doesn’t just talk. He puts money into it,” Davis said.
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Rudy Miller can be reached at [email protected].