Historic School Revived as Foster Youth Housing

A historic local landmark has a new mission. The former St. Colman Catholic School has officially reopened as the Calvin Anderson Schoolhouse Apartments, an $11 million affordable housing community dedicated to helping young adults aging out of the foster care system transition into independent adulthood.

The major redevelopment project was made possible through a partnership between Allegheny County and the newly launched Lanihun-Anderson Foundation, founded by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson and his wife, Sheree.

A New Chapter for a Historic Space

Located at 547 Hunter Street, the historic school building has been completely transformed into 24 modern, two-bedroom townhome-style apartments. The community utilizes the specialized “Scholar House” model, which connects stable housing directly with personal and professional advancement.

To qualify for the heavily subsidized units, residents must be actively pursuing post-secondary education, vocational training, or career development. Most units are reserved for households earning at or below 80% of the area’s median income.

Beyond a place to live, the program provides on-site case management and structural support. This framework allows young parents and foster alumni to focus on their studies, build financial literacy, and actively save money for major milestones like buying a car or entering homeownership.

Launching a Foundation for Financial Peace

The grand opening of the apartments coincides with the official launch of the Lanihun-Anderson Foundation. Driven by a personal mission to bridge the financial disparity gap, Calvin and Sheree Anderson created the organization to provide underserved communities with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities needed to achieve true economic security.

“By combining deeply affordable housing with career mentorship, the initiative ensures that young adults leaving foster care have a secure platform to break systemic cycles of poverty.”

For the Andersons, the Schoolhouse Apartments represent the physical manifestation of their foundation’s core pillars: economic empowerment, community resources, and long-term financial stability.

Source: Pittsburgh Urban Media · Community · pittsburghurbanmedia.com/community-engagement