Bethlehem’s family homeless shelter now has a site, and a state grant to create it

Bethlehem will soon host the Lehigh Valley’s first non-congregate emergency family shelter, made possible by a $1.45 million state grant. The property at 232-234 W. Packer Ave., owned by the Lehigh Conference of Churches, will undergo renovations to create 11 private rooms for families experiencing homelessness. This initiative aims to provide a more dignified and secure environment for those in need.

The state grant will close a critical funding gap, as the city had already allocated $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds toward the project. With this additional support, the city can now move forward with the necessary construction. Mayor J. William Reynolds emphasized the importance of this investment, stating it fills a significant gap in the region’s emergency sheltering system and brings the community closer to offering year-round shelter for families.

Each private unit will include its own bathroom facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity for families as they seek permanent housing. This design also made the project eligible for state and federal grants, which typically require private living units rather than congregate settings with shared spaces. The Lehigh Conference of Churches will donate the property to the city and will manage the shelter’s operations, including a case management office located on-site.

Engineering and design for the renovations are expected to take six months, with the actual construction lasting approximately a year. This funding is part of a broader $27 million investment from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development to address homelessness across 38 counties. DCED Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing options for Pennsylvanians.

The city is still seeking additional funding for its planned 82-bed emergency congregate shelter, which will operate in partnership with the nonprofit Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering. So far, the city has dedicated $2 million toward this project. Despite these efforts, the number of unhoused households in the Lehigh Valley has increased since the city announced its homelessness strategy in early 2022. According to data from the Lehigh Valley Homeless Advisory Board, there are approximately 1,032 unhoused households in the region, a 38% rise from 2022.

This growing need underscores the importance of initiatives like the new family shelter, which aligns with the biblical call to care for the vulnerable. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. The shelter represents a step toward fulfilling that responsibility, offering hope and support to families in crisis.

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