BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A 120-unit, mixed-income apartment complex with affordable housing provisions planned for East Fourth Street has secured nearly $1million in state funding.
The $928,623 infusion for the two-phase project, known as The Gateway on Fourth, was announced Tuesday by state Sen. Lisa Boscola and state Rep. Steve Samuelson.
“Accessible and affordable housing has become a great concern for more and more families and the demand throughout the Lehigh Valley has been far outpacing supply."State Sen. Lisa Boscola
The funds come in the form of $500,000 from the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and $428,000 from the Pennsylvania Local Share Account, according to a release announcing the funds.
“Accessible and affordable housing has become a great concern for more and more families and the demand throughout the Lehigh Valley has been far outpacing supply,” Boscola said in a release.
Samuelson said, “Gateway on Fourth is a significant project to increase affordable housing options in our community.
“The city has led the way, involved the community, and built a partnership which will ultimately bring 120 new mixed-use housing units to the South Side.
"I was glad to work with Senator Boscola to secure state funding to help bring this project to reality.”
'Make real progress'
Developers in November got city Zoning Hearing Board approval to put 60 dwelling units on one lot where 56 are permitted and waiving required commercial use for all buildings along the East Fourth Street frontage.
“The City of Bethlehem recognizes the need to address this housing shortage and this partnership with the Commonwealth will bring much needed housing opportunities at South Bethlehem’s eastern gateway.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
If everything later goes to plan, the nearly four acres at 1400 and 1414-1416 E. Fourth St. would become home to two 44-unit, mid-rise buildings — one at East Fourth and Williams streets, and another closer to the East Fourth Bridge — and two 16-unit, low-rise buildings along East Fifth.
The project would bring new life to a mostly triangular nook of land now home to the old Szilagyi Fuels building and another shop to the west, with a fenced-in area to the south — all near the South Bethlehem Greenway and Bethlehem Skateplaza.
“The City of Bethlehem recognizes the need to address this housing shortage and this partnership with the Commonwealth will bring much needed housing opportunities at South Bethlehem’s eastern gateway,” Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said.
“By bringing together a broad range of community partners with collaboration, passion and a sophisticated plan, we are able to make real progress on affordable housing in Bethlehem."
'Significant need for affordable housing'
Reynolds said the project is among "many housing projects and initiatives we are working on together with community non-profits, the private sector, local institutions and other governmental partners to help provide or maintain housing that is affordable and attainable here in Bethlehem.”
Bethlehem "has rapidly lost much of its naturally occurring affordable housing stock, seeing a 40% increase in rental costs since the onset of the pandemic."State Sen. Lisa Boscola
Just across adjacent Williams Street stands another apartment building built during the last year. And less than a mile west, another developer has eyes on an area of Evans Street to put up 37 apartments.
Developers said the first phase of The Gateway on Fourth could see 46 out 60 units being affordable — meaning eligible households would be earning 60% of median area income or less.
Boscola's release said Bethlehem "has rapidly lost much of its naturally occurring affordable housing stock, seeing a 40% increase in rental costs since the onset of the pandemic.
"With 45% of renters cost-burdened, one in five extremely cost-burdened, there is a significant need for a greater supply of affordable housing.
"The Gateway on Fourth development will help address the city’s housing affordability crisis by increasing the supply of deeply affordable housing at south Bethlehem’s eastern gateway.
"The commercial space will also contribute to the revitalization of south Bethlehem, spur investment along the main street and into the neighborhood, and further enhance economic opportunities and development."
