Bethlehem offers incentives to landlords who will house homeless people, families

Bethlehem offers incentives to landlords who will house homeless people, families

By Hayden Mitman

May 6, 2021

Bethlehem city officials say the pandemic has caused homelessness to spike throughout the community. 

Now, Bethlehem is offering landlords incentives if they provide vacant properties as short-term housing for the homeless.   

Since November alone the city has used rental subsidies to keep nearly 200 families in their homes.

Tina Roseberry, the Housing and Community Development Administrator for the City of Bethlehem, says the need for social distancing has limited housing options.

“The pandemic has affected homeless people in a different kind of way. We have shelter services in the city, however, they are more congregate. And, having the pandemic happening as it was, people in close proximity creates an issue with how housing and emergency centers are kind of set up,” Roseberry says. 

Bethlehem is now offering rental subsidies and housing rehab grants to property owners who can provide vacant units as short-term housing for families facing homelessness.

Because funding is coming from several sources, Roseberry couldn’t provide just how much money is involved. 

Property owners who would like to participate can find out more on the Community and Economic Development page of the city’s website. 

Sign up for our WLVR weekly newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news from the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania.