- Northampton County awarded about $400,000 in Affordable Housing Program funds to local organizations
- Funds are used for projects that will maintain or increase the availability of affordable housing in the area
- Turning Point of Lehigh Valley is among the organizations that got a grant
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Local businesses and organizations have received $400,000 in Affordable Housing Program funds for projects that will maintain existing affordable housing or increase the availability or quality of it.
“The AHP program is one of the many steps Northampton County is taking to improve housing availability," county Executive Lamont McClure said.
“The AHP program is one of the many steps Northampton County is taking to improve housing availability. Affordable housing continues to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many of our residents."Lamont McClure, county executive of Northampton County
"Affordable housing continues to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many of our residents.”
One organization benefiting from the funds is Turning Point of Lehigh Valley.
Its project is specifically for supporting more safe shelter options for survivors fleeing domestic and intimate partner abuse. It was awarded $45,000 from the county.
“We have this open door for anyone who is fleeing danger,” Turning Point Executive Director Lori Sywensky said. “We spent $400,000 on hotels in 2022 to use for safe houses. Since July 2020, the shelter has been completely full.”
Sywensky said the funds will go toward hotel costs.
“We spent $400,000 on hotels in 2022 to use for safe houses. Since July 2020, the shelter has been completely full.”Lori Sywensky, executive director of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley
According to a news release, the Affordable Housing Program grant funds are available to eligible non-profits, public agencies, local governments, government authorities, and private, low-income housing providers.
Grants must maintain or increase the availability of quality affordable housing for residents of Northampton County whose annual incomes are below 80% of the household median income for the county using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 income limits for 2023.
