Home Care In Allentown, PA

Lehigh County and the Allentown area have some of the highest rates of eviction statewide, worsening the region’s affordable housing and homelessness problem.

But what if eviction proceedings took place in a “housing court,” where a judge presides exclusively over civil housing-related issues like evictions and code violations?

It’s something Allentown is considering as part of its “comprehensive housing strategy,” which it will unveil publicly this year. Could a housing court help curb staggering levels of eviction in the city?

Allentown Community and Economic Development Director Vicki Kistler said the city has “not fully fleshed out” what a housing court would look like or if it would be feasible to implement, but said it could be a tool to tackle soaring rates of eviction.

“We would have to approach our partners and our presiding judge who deals with the oversight of the magistrate and have a conversation,” Kistler said. “But I think that in reading the description of the housing court and the purpose of a housing court, it certainly fits into some of the options that have been brought up … as possible ways to address and to expedite, as well as to fully change, the way we all approach eviction and the housing issues.”

Indeed, Allentown has markedly high rates of eviction than the statewide average. In some parts of Allentown, the Lehigh County seat — specifically ZIP code 18102 in Center City — over 40% of renters are at risk of eviction.

Lehigh County as a whole has the third highest eviction rate in Pennsylvania, with almost 14 out of every 100 renters likely to face eviction post-pandemic, compared with the state average of 7 out of 100, according to a study from the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. Northampton County was ranked eighth, with just over 8 out of 100 renters facing eviction.

A state moratorium on evictions, as well as federal emergency rental assistance programs, helped curb eviction filings during the pandemic: Rates reached a low of 3.59 eviction filings for every 100 households between July 2020 and June 2021.

But as those programs expired, eviction filings have returned to the same rate as pre-pandemic and, in Lehigh County, rates are even higher than they were before 2020.

The Lehigh Valley has a well-documented affordable housing problem and tenants who cannot keep up on rent payments — usually those in poverty who are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their total income on housing costs, or more than 50% if they are “extremely” cost-burdened — are at high risk of being evicted.

“If something goes awry, you can’t afford to pay for your housing; if you fall behind enough, your landlord will file an eviction notice and it begins to spiral,” said Lori Malloy, executive director of the nonprofit North Penn Legal Services. “You may be able to resolve that but it adds hundreds of dollars in fees.”

North Penn provides legal representation to tenants facing eviction in Lehigh and Northampton counties at two local magistrates, but it does not have the resources to represent every tenant facing eviction, Malloy said, and the scheduling of evictions at district courthouses can present challenges.

Evictions, which are heard at the district judge level, are scheduled intermittently alongside other types of hearings — traffic citations, small claims, misdemeanors — which can make it difficult to have a lawyer available to represent tenants.

“It’s very difficult for a program, even if they just wanted to send over a support staff person about rental assistance, to be there all day long, all day for when a landlord-tenant case might come in,” Malloy said. “So that’s where the scheduling in a particular afternoon or morning or one day depending on the volume is helpful to be able to provide representation.”

The prospect of a housing-specific court has a precedent in Pennsylvania.

In Philadelphia, one courtroom is dedicated solely to eviction proceedings, called the Landlord-Tenant Court. And since 2017, thanks to a city initiative called the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, public interest firm Community Legal Services staffs a “lawyer of the day” program, which makes a lawyer as well as paralegals and court navigators available to tenants facing eviction.

Very few tenants facing eviction have the means to hire a lawyer, but legal representation can make a huge difference in the outcome of their case. For example, according to a study published in the Harvard Law Review, tenants that had legal representation saw a 77% decrease in eviction judgments.

“When you have an attorney, you’re able to understand what your options are,” said Rachel Garland, a co-managing attorney at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia. “We talk through their situation, we talk through what the evidence is, what the landlord has, and list out for them the pros and cons and work with them whatever their goal is to try and reach that goal.”

Sometimes that looks like a payment agreement reached between between the tenant and the landlord, or connecting the tenant to a rental assistance program to help them make up the difference with what they can afford for their rent payment. No matter the outcome, legal representation can help a tenant avoid the traumatic experience of an eviction, Garland said.

And bolstering legal representation for tenants could be a tool to combat rising homelessness in the area: According to the Lehigh Valley Regional Homeless Advisory Board‘s 2023 point-in-time count, 465 households made up of 686 people were homeless in Lehigh and Northampton counties, a 6.6% increase since before the pandemic. That number is expected to increase “dramatically” in 2024, according to an advisory board news release.

Allentown’s comprehensive housing strategy, which it expects to make public before the summer, could outline if and how the city would establish a housing court.

Because it is a third-class city, it cannot follow the exact framework of Philadelphia, a first-class city with its own municipal courts.

But a state statute allows the Court of Common Pleas in a given judicial district to establish a housing court with jurisdiction over most housing-related legal issues. The city could lobby local judicial offices to do just that.

Advocates say a housing court could be an important step forward, but should be done in tandem with bolstering legal representation programs and rental assistance and resources, to prevent eviction and keep people from homelessness.

“If the county courts would work with them to create a housing court on those issues, that may be helpful,” Malloy said. “What that looks like, I don’t know.”

Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at [email protected].

President Joe Biden will travel to the Allentown area on Friday, where he will visit with small business owners and local officials to make the case that Bidenomics is to thank for the region’s economic rebound.

Michael Negron, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, said on a Thursday call with reporters that Biden’s visit would serve to “highlight how communities that for too long had been left behind by the failed trickle-down economic policies of the past are now making an economic comeback.”

During the pandemic, Negron said, unemployment in Allentown reached 16% and many businesses closed their doors.

“But today, with the support of this administration’s policies, Allentown is amongst the many communities across our country making a comeback since the President took office,” he added.

The White House didn’t provide any details about which businesses Biden would be visiting, but the Lehigh Valley News noted there was also a “special event” planned in the borough of Emmaus on Friday that included parking restrictions. The Morning Call reported that several school districts in the Lehigh Valley planned early dismissals Friday ahead of the president’s visit.

The president is expected to arrive at Lehigh Valley International Airport in the early afternoon.

According to the White House, since Biden took office, Allentown has seen “historic” employment growth, small business creation and investments. Personal income in Allentown is up more than 3% after adjusting for inflation, compared to before the pandemic, the White House said.

The Allentown metro’s unemployment rate was 3.4% in November, the most recent data available according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an apparent 20-year low.

“Allentown residents have seen their wages increase under President Biden’s economic agenda as the Lehigh Valley economy has grown through investment in small business,” Mayor Matt Tuerk said in a statement.

A fact sheet from the White House listed some of the recent investments the Biden administration has made in the Lehigh Valley, including $5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for renovations at Lehigh Valley International Airport, $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan funding that allowed Allentown to invest in a new fire training facility and emergency operations center, and $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a climate action plan for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. And the Department of Commerce designated Allentown a “Recompete area,” making it eligible to compete for an award of up to $50 million to support small manufacturers and workers.

The White House also pointed to recent local workforce investments by two large companies in the Allentown area. Pratt Industries, an Australian corrugated packaging company, announced in September it would invest $500 million into the five plants it has in Pennsylvania, including its Macungie and Emmaus facilities in the Lehigh Valley. The company’s plans called for hiring several hundred workers over the next decade, the state announced at the time.

The state Department of Economic Development (DCED) provided Pratt with more than $1.3 million in funding in 2011 to locate the plant in Macungie, which the DCED says helped created more than 125 jobs. Pratt has more than 800 employees in Pennsylvania, according to the DCED.

And in June, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Schless Bottles, a premium plastic jars and bottles manufacturer, would relocate from its New Jersey manufacturing facility to Allentown, bringing an investment of more than $7.5 million and creating 98 new full-time manufacturing jobs in the next three years.

The White House noted such investments create a “ripple effect,” creating jobs and bringing more customers to small businesses in the region.

The Biden administration also announced on Thursday that new Census data showed 5.5 million new business applications were filed in 2023. In Allentown, new business applications grew by a record 30% in 2022 over pre-pandemic levels, the administration said.

Friday will be Biden’s second visit of the year to the battleground state of Pennsylvania. On Jan. 5, he kicked off his reelection campaign with a speech at Montgomery County Community College, where he warned that American democracy is at stake in the 2024 election.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Local and state officials braved the cold Friday in downtown Allentown to make the case for a huge increase in funding for a program to boost Main streets.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is pushing for state lawmakers to allocate $25 million in the 2024-25 budget for a new program called Main Street Matters.

State officials say that would “build upon and modernize” Pennsylvania's Keystone Communities Program, which is meant to bring together the public sector and private companies to spur economic development.

“Main streets are the heart of a local community, the heart of a local economy."

Rick Siger, secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development

The $25 million would be almost four times more than the Keystone Communities Program can offer each year, according to Rick Siger, who leads the state's Department of Community and Economic Development.

Siger has been touring cities throughout Pennsylvania touting the potential power of Shapiro’s proposed investment.

“Main streets are the heart of a local community, the heart of a local economy,” Siger said Friday at a news conference outside the Downtown Allentown Market.

“That means something a little different in each place. Here in Allentown, this community has really lofty ambitions for your downtown.”

Downtown business corridors “have the potential to be engines” of the state’s economy and must be supported by “community investments … because [Pennsylvania towns] face more competition than ever to attract new residents and retain existing ones,” he said.

“When we invest in our Main Streets, we're investing in our core identity."

State Rep. Peter Schweyer

State Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh, called Shapiro’s proposed Main Street Matters program “a huge investment in bringing the downtown to life,” while state Rep. Peter Schweyer noted the importance of supporting local communities.

“When we invest in our Main streets, we're investing in our core identity,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh.

L.V. depends on downtowns' success: Mayor

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg said he learned the power of economic development programs firsthand in his early 20s as a regional Main Street manager for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said he "really got to see what happened … when local governments, business organizations, volunteers and small businesses came together to do good work.

“The entire region is dependent upon the success of Hamilton Street in Allentown, of Main Street in Bethlehem and Center Square in Easton."

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk

“It was an absolutely fascinating experience — one that was only constrained by a lack of resources,” he said.

Enabling the private sector “to do good work with public support” is arguably “the most important thing that we can do in government,” he said.

Downtowns play important roles in regional economies, but they “have an uncertain future” throughout the state and country, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said.

“The entire region is dependent upon the success of Hamilton Street in Allentown, of Main Street in Bethlehem and Centre Square in Easton,” Tuerk said before the group of officials went on a tour of the soon-to-open downtown Da Vinci Science Center.

ALLENTOWN, Pa — The iconic PPL Tower in downtown Allentown is officially off the market.

PPL Corp. announced Friday a tentative $9 million agreement to sell the 2 North Ninth St. Tower Building and office complex to Pennsylvania-based developer D&D Realty Group.

It comes 10 months after a plan was announced to move PPL's corporate headquarters from the landmark skyscraper to Two City Center, on 7th and Hamilton streets.

The tower hit the market in August.

The developer’s proposed plans for the properties, covering about 450,000 square feet in downtown Allentown, include new mixed-use commercial spaces, apartments and other amenities, a release said.

The 24-story complex is the Lehigh Valley's tallest building.

“We were excited to see the plans proposed by D&D Realty Group and the economic opportunities additional mixed-use commercial and residential space would bring to downtown Allentown,” PPL President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Sorgi said in the release.

“Our company has been proud to call Allentown home for a century, and we plan to remain part of the city’s growth story. The Tower Building remains iconic within our community, and we think these future plans will secure its legacy for decades to come.”

More on D&D Realty

D&D Realty Group, based in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, describes itself as "a multi-faceted real estate company concentrating on development." It's known for projects throughout the state, which include converting properties into mixed-used commercial and residential units with amenities including restaurants, storage and grocery stores.

“As developers, our bread and butter has been transforming historic downtown office buildings into mixed-use developments with a focus on high-end residential and complementary commercial uses,” said Nick Dye, co-managing member of D&D Realty Group.

“PPL’s iconic headquarters provides us with the perfect canvas for our vision of high-end, downtown living in the Lehigh Valley.”

Some of its more recent projects include the development of high-end apartments for Wilkes University, and an apartment complex known as Riverview West, described as an upscale for-rent condominium complex in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

A 'steady presence' in Allentown

“We look forward to remaining a steady presence in the city, to engaging as we have for years to build a stronger community, and to keeping our corporate headquarters here in Allentown as we create the utilities of the future in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia and Rhode Island,” Sorgi said of PPL.

Public officials also weighed in on the deal.

“I’m thrilled that the team at PPL was able to combine the excitement of revitalizing an iconic property with the positive momentum in Allentown to attract a quality developer to this project,” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk.

“Allentonians are proud of our skyline, and it’s wonderful to know that the tower will continue to light up Center City Allentown, reinforcing downtown as a place where businesses thrive and we celebrate the joy of life.”

State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, also voiced support for the project, calling it "an opportunity no developer could pass on."

“I’m grateful to PPL’s continued commitment to Downtown Allentown, from keeping their corporate headquarters at the heart of our city, Two City Center, and working to ensure that the iconic PPL Tower continues to be part of our city’s story of revitalization,” Siegel said.

“Post-COVID urban development requires a renewed commitment to the things which make cities special, unique, and desirable: their walkability, their accessible amenities, and their vibrancy. Mixed-use development is critical to ensuring that cities continue to thrive by creating robust availability of housing next to the jobs people desire, the attractions they demand and the resources they need."

He phrased the redevelopment project as "critical to the continued revitalization of the Hamilton Street Corridor."

"Bringing new residents to this crucial corridor will complement ongoing projects such as the Da Vinci Science Center, Archer Music Hall, Moxy Hotel, and the conversion of the PPL Plaza. It shows that Allentown is yet again on the leading edge of urban renewal and a strong model worthy of replication," he said.

As Pennsylvania’s third-largest city, Allentown has plenty to offer anyone moving to the area. There are countless things to do whether you visit the Allentown Art Museum and America on Wheels Museum, or check out Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. No wonder 125,900 people are living in Allentown.

If you’re looking to buy a home in Allentown, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $215,000. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average rent in Allentown is $1,578.

But if you’re considering something more suburban, we can help you find the right place to buy a home. At Redfin, we’ve gathered a list of the 8 best Allentown suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 15 miles away from the city. Let’s check them out.

#1: Hellertown

Median home price: $230,000 Average sale price per square foot: $212 Distance from Allentown: 8 miles Hellertown, PA homes for sale Hellertown, PA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $230,000, Hellertown is the first Allentown suburb on our list. About an 8 mile drive away from downtown Allentown, Hellertown is home to roughly 6,200 people. Living in Hellertown, you can visit Grist Mill Park, explore the Lost River Caverns, opened in 1930 with trails, a museum, and walking tours, and check out the charming downtown streets.

Your next home is just a tap away

Median home price: $239,500 Average sale price per square foot: $176 Distance from Allentown: 3 miles Fullerton, PA homes for sale Fullerton, PA apartments for rent

Just a little more expensive than Hellertown is Fullerton, the second suburb on our list. Only 3 miles from the city center you can visit the Allentown Art Museum and America on Wheels Museum in no time. Some popular things to do in Fullerton include hiking the Jordan Creek Trail, stopping by the Helfrich Springs Grist Mill, and checking out the local shops and restaurants.

#3: Catasauqua

Median home price: $259,000 Average sale price per square foot: $178 Distance from Allentown: 5 miles Catasauqua, PA homes for sale Catasauqua, PA apartments for rent

Taking the third spot is Catasauqua. Just 5 miles outside of Allentown, there are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Catasauqua. Make sure to stop by historic landmarks like the George Taylor House and the Dery Mansion, and check out downtown Catasauqua.

#4: Emmaus

Median home price: $275,000 Average sale price per square foot: $171 Average rent for an apartment: $1,610 Distance from Allentown: 5 miles Emmaus, PA homes for sale Emmaus, PA apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Catasauqua is the suburb of Emmaus. With roughly 11,600 residents in this Allentown suburb, make sure to visit parks like Wildlands Conservatory, Emmaus Community Park, or Rodale Natural Area, stop by the historic Shelter House, and peruse the shops on Main Street.

#5: Bethlehem

Median home price: $285,000 Average sale price per square foot: $203 Average rent for an apartment: $1,815 Distance from Allentown: 6 miles Bethlehem, PA homes for sale Bethlehem, PA apartments for rent

Drive 6 miles outside of Allentown and you’ll find the suburb of Bethlehem, another great area to add to your list. With 75,800 people living in this town, Bethlehem is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Allentown without living in the city. In Bethlehem, you can see the SteelStacks where you can also discover the exhibits at the National Museum of Industrial History, explore downtown Bethlehem where you’ll find shops and restaurants, and take in the views at Sand Island Park.

#6: Northampton

Median home price: $290,000 Average sale price per square foot: $200 Distance from Allentown: 8 miles Northampton, PA homes for sale Northampton, PA apartments for rent

Sixth on the list is another well-known Allentown suburb, Northampton, where you’ll find the home prices are about $290,000. With roughly 10,400 people living in Northampton, it’s a great suburb to consider buying a house in. You’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb stand out, so make sure to walk the riverfront trail at Canal Street Park and see a movie at the Roxy Theatre dating back to 1921.

#7: Quakertown

Median home price: $293,000 Average sale price per square foot: $210 Average rent for an apartment: $1,829 Distance from Allentown: 14 miles Quakertown, PA homes for sale Quakertown, PA apartments for rent

Next on our list of Allentown suburbs is Quakertown, which is roughly a 14 mile drive into downtown. With a population of nearly 9,400, living in Quakertown is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Allentown. Don’t miss out on visiting Quakertown Memorial Park, stopping by the historic landmarks like Liberty Hall, and grabbing a meal at one of the many local restaurants once moving to the area.

#8: Nazareth

Median home price: $332,500 Average sale price per square foot: $192 Average rent for an apartment: $1,388 Distance from Allentown: 15 miles Nazareth, PA homes for sale Nazareth, PA apartments for rent

Last but not least on our list of best Allentown suburbs is Nazareth. About 6,100 people live in Nazareth, so you’ll have a fraction of Allentown’s population while remaining only 15 miles from the city. Be sure to check out the charming downtown Nazareth and explore Nazareth Borough Park once living in Nazareth.

Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 15-mile drive from downtown Allentown. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

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