BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Though Allentown has recently spearheaded the local effort, Bethlehem is applying for a coming round of state funding to fight area homelessness.
City Council last week unanimously voted to seek $1.5 million in Emergency Solutions Grant funding from the state Community and Economic Development Department.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, ESG funding is approved to support local efforts targeted at preventing homelessness.
“As ESG is one of the only federal sources of homelessness prevention funding available for service providers, it is essential that the region has a submission in 2024."Bethlehem Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo
That could include engaging with individuals and families without a dedicated residence, supporting operation or opening of emergency shelters and rapidly rehousing those in need and providing them with appropriate services.
“As ESG is one of the only federal sources of homelessness prevention funding available for service providers, it is essential that the region has a submission in 2024,” Bethlehem Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo wrote in an Aug. 14 memo to council.
“Otherwise, the Lehigh Valley will lose needed funding at a time where we have seen a 110% increase in unsheltered homelessness.”
Stepping in
The city’s application — which acts as a “pass-through” if the grant is ultimately awarded, Satullo said — comes on behalf of 12 local service providers that are represented by the Lehigh Valley Regional Homeless Advisory Board.
Some of those groups include Third Street Alliance, Valley Youth House, VETBEDS and New Bethany Ministries.
If approved, those groups will have a shot at funding eligible for use in:
- Rapid rehousing (housing search, credit repair, landlord-tenant disputes, utility payments)
- Street outreach (case management, transportation, emergency and mental health services)
- Homelessness prevention (similar eligible costs as rapid rehousing)
- Emergency shelter (renovation, repairs, rent, fuel, life skills training, substance abuse treatment services)
- Homeless Management Information System (data collection)
- Administration (Attending ESG trainings, management of the program)
Satullo said Allentown got $300,000 last year on behalf of six providers.
Because of turnover in the usual team in Allentown that applies for and administers the funding, RHAB asked Bethlehem to handle the application this time around, Satullo said.
