ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Pa. State Senator Nick Miller will host two town halls and rent rebate sessions at apartments in Allentown over the next week.
Miller has announced two special sessions to help residents obtain rental rebates, with the first meeting set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 23 at the B’nai B’rith Apartments. A second meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 1 at the Gross Towers.
Those interested in pursuing rent rebates are encouraged to bring proof of income, including social security, SSI and SSP award letters; pension, annuity and IRA distributions; interest and dividend income, salaries, wages, bonuses and commissions; cash public assistance or relief; unemployment compensation; workers compensation and bank account information for direct deposits.
Rent certification letters are also required for the program.
Miller will engage in meet and greets following the rent rebate sessions.
The senator is currently running for re-election in District 14.
A recent coffee and conversation event hosted at the Bath Municipal Building showed the high cost of rent in the Lehigh Valley is a growing concern. Miller noted, “I’m very mindful of economic development, we know housing has been an issue.”
According to Rent.com, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Allentown runs about $1,837 per month, while Bethlehem costs about $1,705 and Easton hovers around $1,775.
With a per-capita income of $39,856 in Lehigh County and $42,643 in Northampton County. This means that rent can eat up over half a person’s income or more within the Lehigh Valley.
The burden of housing for those in poverty — 11.3% in Lehigh County and 10.6% in Northampton — can be even more extreme, putting these individuals at risk for homelessness.
Those aged 65 and older, along with widows and widowers 50 years and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and over, can all qualify for rental assistance if their household income is $45,000 or less.
Rebates range from $380 to $1,000, depending upon income, per year.
