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Homelessness

1,000 students in the Allentown School District are homeless

63% of Homelessness happens in Allentown 

Housing First Approach 

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Increase the number of affordable housing units

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Stable housing is essential for people to address challenges such as employment, substance challenges and mental health.

 

Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-housing work. The National Alliance to End Homelessness found that 85-90% of people who are place in permanent housing remain housed after 1 year.

 

Housing people saves taxpayers $31,545 per household on emergency services each year

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Year-Round Shelter


Everyone should know where they will sleep tonight. 

We need an emergency shelter where people will have access to a bed, services and a support system to help them transition into permanent housing. 

Allentown is the third largest city in the state and we don't have a year-round shelter that accepts anyone regardless of religion or sexual identity. 

Families make up 37% of the homeless population. On any given night, there is not a place for families to sleep. The existing shelters are at capacity and people sit on waitlists for months. 

Landlord Engagement
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Provide incentives for property owners to rent to families and individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. 

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Connect landlords with renters who are pre-screened and working with a social service provider. Landlords are guaranteed on-time rental payments and a contingency fund is set up to help cover​ repairs. 

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Funds provided to landlords for repair and facade improvements should include affordable housing incentives. 

Being homeless is not a crime
Homeless Bill of Rights
Introduce an Allentown Homeless Bill of Rights and Advocate for statewide support
 
This bill would protect unhoused individuals from unfair discrimination based on the individual's homeless status.

PA House Bill 697 "Homeless Bill of Rights" states that unhoused individuals have the right to:
  1. Access to public services 

  2. Use and move freely in public spaces

  3. Equal treatment by State and local government agencies

  4. Be free from discrimination while maintaining employment 

  5. Emergency medical assistance free from discrimination 

  6. Vote and register to vote 

  7. Confidentiality of personal records and information

  8. A reasonable expectation of privacy

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