North Catasauqua Borough received multiple anonymous complaints Dec. 2 claiming there were electrical issues and no heat in an apartment building at 1122 Front St. The borough sent the code inspector to verify the complaints, and he discovered that not only were the complaints accurate, but the building was otherwise not fit for human habitation.

Formerly the Dinbokowitz Hotel, this 24-bedroom, 9,000-square-foot building was turned into apartments sometime in the late 1970s. The building even bears some historical significance, as it was the meeting place for disenfranchised Allen Township residents who decided to secede and form North Catasauqua in 1907. Back then, it was called the Northampton Hotel.

Before last week, it was home to more than 15 people, but due to safety concerns, they were all vacated by the borough. Alternative housing was sought for the residents, most of whom were taken in by family members or homeless shelters in the surrounding area.

Borough authorities have marked the building as “unsafe for human occupancy or use” and locked it down to protect the belongings of the residents until they can return and retrieve them.

All gas, electric and water utilities have been shut off.

There was a building supervisor who lived on site, but at this time, it is unclear what sort of arrangement the occupants had with the owner of the building or for how long.

A property overview from a September 2018 listing on realtor.com reads, “This moneymaker is yours for the taking. You can have a property with instant positive cash flow today.” However, the property has since been unlisted.

All of this comes amid ongoing discussions about landlord ordinances in North Catasauqua. Borough council plans to implement a tenant reporting ordinance, which would require landlords to inform the borough when new tenants move into their properties.

Borough officials hope enforcing this ordinance would help prevent situations like that of 1122 Front St. from occurring elsewhere in the borough.