ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A state grant is set to fund weekend homeless services in Allentown after funding for the measure was a victim of city officials’ ongoing budget battle.
The Lehigh Conference of Churches will get $50,000 to expand services, according to a news release from local state lawmakers.
The funding will let the faith-based nonprofit offer help beyond its weekday schedule at its Daybreak drop-in center on West Allen Street.
“Our country clearly has miles to go to address this housing crisis and factors contributing to homelessness ... But we cannot shy away from supporting the work of organizations providing compassionate care in our communities.”State Rep. Mike Schlossberg
The center serves about 1,400 people each year — 65% of whom are homeless, the release states.
It’s currently open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday each week.
LCC Executive Director Abby Goldfarb said the money will provide “life-changing support for individuals who are working during the week and offering hope to families who need it most.”
Hailing the grant
Allentown’s legislative delegation in Harrisburg hailed the grant after helping to secure it.
State Sen. Nick Miller called the Lehigh Conference of Churches “a pillar in the community,” while state Rep. Pete Schweyer said it is “an integral part of assisting our most vulnerable citizens.”
“Our country clearly has miles to go to address this housing crisis and factors contributing to homelessness, including strengthening mental health care and creating good-paying jobs,” state Rep. Mike Schlossberg said in the release.
“But we cannot shy away from supporting the work of organizations providing compassionate care in our communities.”
Mayor Matt Tuerk in December was expected to ask council to allocate $50,000 to fund weekend homeless services at Daybreak.
He withdrew his request after council passed a 2026 budget that balanced spending by taking $1.5 million from the city’s reserve fund rather than raising property taxes.
The mayor said it would have been “fiscally irresponsible” to add more spending to the council-approved budget, which he later vetoed.
Tuerk said the proposal could have been funded under his initial budget proposal, which he argues is now in effect.
