Housing/Shelters
Allentown Bureau of Building Standards and Safety
425 Hamilton Street, Room 20
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-437-7690
Complaints: 610-437-7694
Description of Services: Handles complaints on unsafe living conditions rental housing/apartments
Allentown Housing Authority
1339 Allen Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-439-8678 (Office) 610-439-0481 (Tenant Selection)
Fax: 610-439-8884
Description of Services: Apply for public housing or Section 8 Housing, based on income.
Public Housing Allentown
CumberlandGardensCommunity CenterLittle Lehigh
501 East Cumberland Street671 Lawrence Court
Allentown, PA 18103Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-791-0461Phone: 610-432-4455
Hanover Acres/Riverview Terrace Community Building
242 East Linden Street
Allentown, PA 18106
Phone: 610-432-9515 (manager)
610-435-2661 for Hanover Acre Tenant problems
Allentown Housing Rehabilitation Program
435 Hamilton Street, Third Floor
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-437-7696
Description of Services: Offers loans and grants to owner occupied houses in the city in certain city areas to correct housing code violations (including removing lead from homes). Call for more information.
Allentown Rescue Mission Housing
355 Hamilton Street, Box 748
Allentown, PA 18105
Phone: 610-740-5500
Fax: 610-740-0646
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Provides housing for males in crisis, homeless. Bilingual staff person (Spanish-English) available at times.
Alliance for Building (ABC) Communities
830 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-439-7007
Fax: 610-439-7888
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: A home buying program for lower income people and families. ABC assists them to become homeowners by providing fully rehabilitated homes at affordable prices. They counsel and walk you through the home buying process. ABC also offers rental housing to individuals with disabilities. Must meet eligibility guidelines. Has Spanish speaking staff.
American Red Cross – LehighValley Chapter (Valley Wide Help)
2200 Avenue A
Bethlehem, PA 18017-2181
Phone:610-865-4400
Fax: 610-865-5871
Valley Wide Help:
Phone: Allentown: ...... 610-435-7111
Bethlehem: . . . . . 610-691-8711
Easton: ...... 610-252-4357
Slate Belt: ...... 610-588-5512
TTY/TDD: ...... 610-866-0131
Website:
Publications Directories:
Email:
Description of Service: Provides emergency housing assistance in disasters and fires. Valley Wide Help; 24 hour information and referral ser4vice provided by the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Trained Information Specialists listen to the callers’ problems and identify the callers’ needs through interview techniques and problem assessment. They then consult Valley Wide Help’s comprehensive computerized database of over 2,000 referral sources to identify specific organizations that may be able to assist them. Also provide disaster response, heath and safety administrating and classes, armed forces emergency communication for family members and Valley Wide Help (telephone information Line). Also provides housing for males in crisis, homeless. Bilingual staff person (Spanish-English) available at times.
Business Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
AnthraciteRegionalCenter For Independent Living
44 W. Broad Street
Hazleton, PA 18201
Phone: 570-445-9800 or 800-777-9906
The Beall and Linny Fowler Hospitality House of the Salvation Army
344 N. 7th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-432-0128
Description of Services: Emergency shelter for women and children. (Bilingual staff available Spanish-English). Also transitional housing longer term.
Bethlehem Bureau of Inspections
10 East Church Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-865-7091
Description of Services: Receives and acts on rental housing complaints, and issues building permits.
Bethlehem Housing Authority
645 Main StreetNortheast Office
Bethlehem, PA 180181429 Fritz Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: 610-865-8300610-865-8342 or 610-865-8309
Fax: 610-865-3333
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Apply for public housing or Section 8 (private) subsidized apartment or house. Handles complaints on unsafe living conditions or problems with public housing.
Bethlehem Housing Rehabilitation Program
10 East Church Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-865-7095
Description of Services: Grants and loans to qualified owners in Bethlehem to correct code violations rehabilitate homes.
Carbon CountyHousing Authority
215 Third Street
Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: 610-377-9375
Fax: 610-377-9397
CarbonCounty Assistance Office (Department of Public Welfare)
101 Lehigh Drive
Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: 610-577-9020
Fax: 610-577-9043
Website:
Description of Services:
** Catholic Charities
530 Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-435-1541
Website: or
Description of Services: Immigration issues and counseling, paperwork, and citizenship classes. Fees charged for some immigration services. Call for information. Also help with rent assistance and budget counseling. Also provides counseling for grief experiences and family problems. Runs a pregnancy/support counseling program for expectant adults and young families called “caring Hearts:” Adoption, to adopt, or adopt out. Foster care programs. Some programs are free or sliding fee scale for some programs. Spanish speakers on staff.
Hours: Office 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday by appointment
Center City Ministries
PO Box 5458
314 Filmore Street
Bethlehem, PA 18105
Phone: 610-691-3373
Description of Services: Hospitality and emergency shelters.
Center for Independent Living
435 Allentown Drive
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-770-9781
Website:
Description of Services: Helps individuals with disabilities to find housing; helps qualify people for Section 8 housing. Assists individuals to make home handicapped-accessible (known as AccessLehighValley). Provides sign language interpreter services. Call for information. Helps connect people to sports and recreation opportunities open to those with disabilities. Offers sign language interpreter and sign language classes. Advocate available for hose with disability related issues, consumer needs.
Community Action Committee
1337 E. 5th Street (ForteBuilding)267 S. 2nd Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: 610-691-5620610-377-6400
Fax: 610-691-6582
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Runs free first-time home-buying classes 3 Saturdays and counseling programs on completion of program, can assist with home-buying cost, publishes Right Stuff About Renting (a free booklet) and answers questions on renter’s issues. Runs free income tax filing service for lower income adults/families during tax season. Bilingual staff and classes. Call for information. Also helps with Weatherization, utility bill payment assistance and furnace repair assistance.
Note: if you think you are being cheated by your mortgager company or home equity lender call 800-755-1563 (CACLV’s Hotline).
Drug and Alcohol (D & A) Transitional Housing
Phone: 610-782-3200
Description of Services: Available to assist LehighCounty residents who are currently in outpatient treatment for substance abuse or successfully completed residential treatment within the past 15 days and have no other financial means to acquire initial housing. All applicants are required to have a face-to-face interview and present picture identification, written proof of: current participation in D&A treatment, employment, income and a letter from the housing owner/manager. To apply please call.
Easton Area Neighborhood Center, Inc.
902 Philadelphia Road
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-253-4253
Description of Services: Food bank can be used 1 time a month; food bank serves south side residents of Easton Must bring social security cards, proof of income for all family members. Hours of operation are Monday 9 am – 3pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9 am – Noon
Also helps with rent assistance (when funds are available). Call first for appointment.
Easton Codes and Rehabilitation Office
1 South 3rd Street, 3rd Floor
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-250-6724
Description of Services: Handles complaints on unsafe living conditions in rental and other housing; issue permits for renovations
Easton Housing Authority
PO Box 876221 South 4th Street
Easton, PA 18044Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-258-0806
Description of Services: Apply for public housing and Section 8 housing.
** EastonNeighborhoodCenter
902 Philadelphia Road
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-253-4253
Description of Services: Rent assistance (when funds are available). Call first for appointment.
Ferry Street Apartments
600 Ferry Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-253-7118
Description of Services: Transitional housing for homeless families who are working on goal of independence through further education/training. One third of family income goes to rent. May stay up to 2 years. Have 10 units.
Habitat for Humanity of the LehighValley
245 N. Graham Street
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-776-7737
Fax: 610-776-7569
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Help in building or renovation of homes.
Halfway Home of the LehighValley
119 – 121 N. 8th Street
Allentown, PA18101
Phone: 610-439-0218
Fax: 610-439-8713
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Transitional living for recovering addicts.
** Hispanic American Organization
136 S. 4th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-435-5334
Description of Services: Rental assistance to those eligible (when funds are available).
Homeless Supportive Services Project
LehighCounty Conference of Churches
544 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA
Phone: 484-664-7320
Description of Services: Provides intensive case management services for disabled people who are chronically homeless. This program links homeless individuals with housing, job training and physical and behavioral healthcare, income assistance, food and nutrition, and socialization opportunities.
Housing Association and Development Corp. (HADC)
513/515 Chew Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-432-6336
Description of Services: A home ownership program plus 40 rental opportunities. Accepts Section 8.
HUD
The WanamakerBuilding
100 Penn Square, East
Philadelphia, PA19107
Phone: 1-800-669-9777 o 215-656-0500
Fax: 215-656-3445
Website:
Description of Services: Helps individuals purchase homes. Call for income guidelines. In English and Spanish.
LehighCounty Assistance Office (Department of Public Welfare)
101 South 7th Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-821-6509
Fax: 610-821-6705
Website:
Description of Services: Medical assistance, food stamps, cash grants, energy assistance. Employment and training resources and referrals. For Energy Assistance, if received last year you automatically will be sent application. Spanish spoken.
Hours: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm.
LehighCounty Conference of Churches
534 Chew Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-433-6421
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: an association of over 50 local churches, the conference has several social service programs. A recent grant funds Homeless Housing Services (HHS) for adults with a mental health or other disability. Their Pathways Program is an emergency service clearing-house for people with housing, food, job, and other needs. They also sponsor the Linkage Program whose street caseworker connects homeless people with services. Then Conference assists with medical prescriptions for people without resources to fill them, The Conference also has a “Repetitive Payee” program to assist those on SSI (including children) who need help to manage their income and bills. Call first. Spanish spoken.
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 12 noon
Lehigh County Department of Human Services
GovernmentCenter
17 S. 7th Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone Office: 610-782-3952
Fax Office: 610-820-3615
Phone Info and Referral Unit: 610-782-3200
Fax Info and Referral Unit: 610-820-3289
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Has various departments to help children and adults in LehighCounty.
Lehigh CountyHousing Authority and Valley Housing Development Corp.
333 Ridge Street or 63.5 Broad Street
Emmaus, PA18049
Phone: 610-433-2312 or 610-965-4514
Website:
Description of Services: Serves residents of LehighCounty. Apply for public or Section 8 subsidized housing. It can be hard to contact a real person there – listen to taped information by phone, or go in person.
LehighValleyCenter for Independent Living
435 Allentown Drive
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-770-9781 or 800-495-8245
TDD: 610-770-9789
Fax: 610-770-9789
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: A private non-profit organization that is staffed and governed, at all times, by a majority of persons with disabilities. They no dot make decisions for their consumers, but provide information and resources to allow consumers to make independent decisions. Work to increase inclusion in Lehigh and Northampton county residents with any type of disability and/or their family regarding housing, transportation, voting rights, employment and many other areas.
Mental Health Housing Assistance
Phone: 610-782-3200
Description of Services: County residents who receive ongoing mental health treatment, are homeless, and have income may be eligible for financial assistance to secure housing. Call for additional information.
Neighborhood Housing Services of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.
239 North 10th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-437-4571
Fax: 610-437-3609
Website:
Description of Services: Assistance obtaining home owner loans. Provide grants and loans to those eligible for down payment and closing cost. Bilingual person available. They have twenty-three apartment units on 10th Street for people with low to moderate income. Home repair counseling and financial counseling.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm
New BethanyMinistries
337 Wyandotte Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-691-5602
Fax: 610-866-3427
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Offers short-term transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families in individual rooms for up to six months. Come in to apply; there is a waiting list. Also runs the MollardHospitalityCenter, offering hot showers, breakfast and lunch, employment assistance and counseling, also use of phone and mailing address.
Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Monday through FridayHours for Meals: Monday through Friday: Breakfast 8 am; Lunch 12 noon to 1 pm
NorthamptonCountyHousing Authority
15 South Wood StreetMailing Address: PO Box 252
Nazareth, PA 18064Nazareth, PA 18064
Phone: 610-759-8488
Description of Services: Section 8 housing program. Closed to new applicants (1,400 families on waiting list). Still open to seniors and the handicapped.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 am – noon and 1 pm – 4 pm
NorthamptonCounty Assistance Office (DPA)
110 Main Street
West Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-250-1700
Fax: 610-250-1839
Website:
Description of Services: Medical assistance, food stamps, cash grants, energy assistance. Employment and training resources and referrals. For Energy Assistance, if received last year you automatically will be sent application. Spanish spoken.
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Oxford House
Website:
Description of Service: Self-supported recovery house program for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug additions. Assures alcohol and drug free environment. Individuals pay equal share of the house expense. Several Oxford Houses nationally and within PA. Interested individuals must submit an application and be interviewed by existing members of the house. Houses for men only, women only, and women with children.
Locations:
Men Only Locations
AllenBethlehemChew Street
1524 Allen Street450 Monclair Avenue1734 Chew Street
Allentown, PA18102Bethlehem, PA 18015Allentown, PA 18104
Phone: 610-4336-5351610-814-0663610-433-1431
EarlyGoodfellowsGordon
1319 Liberty Street122 S. 13th Street131 S. 15th Street
Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-351-5169610-351-7975610-435-8404
HanoverJeffersonParkMediator
445 S. Hanover Avenue240 N. Jefferson Street230 N. 16th Street
Allentown, PA 18103Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 484-221-8823610-351-6833610-776-3630
MontclairRothSaucon
455 Montclair Avenue1008 N. 15th Street508 E. Fourth Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015Allentown, PA 18102Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-867-3654610-820-0297610-868-4309
SenecaSpringGardenTilghman
500 Seneca Street1029 Spring Garden St.829 Tilghman Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-867-9948610-770-0227610-432-1736
Turner StreetUnion TerraceWestPark
1319 Turner Street308 S. 17th Street217 Fulton Street
Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18104Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-770-9994610-770-9994610-435-3899
Whitehall
515 ½ N. 8th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-782-0955
For Women Only Locations:
BuchananHickoryLiberty
452 Carlton Avenue118½ S. 15th Street1605 Chew Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-868-4308610-434-2076610-820-7151
LindenSouth Madison
136 N. 12th Street211 S. Madison
Allentown, PA 18102Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-770-1988610-770-7928
** Pathways
(A program of the Lehigh County Conference of Churches)
Alliance Hall
534 Chew Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-439-8653
Website:
Email:
Contact Person: Deanne Malacsics
Description of Services: Phone counseling and walk-in emergency services to those in need of food, housing, with utility problems, anyone needing advocacy for basic needs. Housing case management for homeless or about-to-be-homeless families, rental assistance funds. For LehighCounty residents only. Bilingual staff available.
Hours: 9:30 am – noon Monday through Friday. Appointments only in afternoon.
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Phone: 800-922-9384
Website:
Child Support Enforcement Helpline: 800-932-0211
Office of Children and Youth and Families: 717-787-4756
Office of Income Maintenance: 717-787-1894
Office of Medical Assistance Programs: 717-787-1870
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: 877-356-5355
Office of Mental Retardation: 888-565-9434
Office of Mental Retardation: 88-565-9435
Office of Social Programs: 800-757-5042
Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program: Provides payment for specific
Atypical anti-psychotic medications fro individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Also provides payment for specific medications for individuals who are living with HIV/Aids
Welfare Fraud Tipline: 800-932-0582
Welfare Helpline: 800-692-7462
Individuals must meet income guidelines and not be eligible for medical assistance insurance through County Assistance Office.
Personal Care Homes
Description of Services: These programs provide 24-hour supervision, meals, laundry service, medication monitoring, and some assistance with personal hygiene. If you receive SSI, usually you receive a small allowance from your SSI check and the remainder goes to the home. People who do not wish to live alone, or have difficulty with day-today living can find the following personal care homes available in this area.
My HomeMount Trexler Manor
124 Bride Street5201 St. Joseph’s Road
Catasauqua, PA 18032Limeport, PA 18060
Phone: 610-264-3118Phone: 610-965-9021
Fax: 610-967-0451
Website:
Email:
TrexlerPark ManorCanal Side Manor
3599 Broadway Street1 Main Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032Walnutport, PA 18088
Phone: 610-264-3118Phone: 610-767-0575
The Right Stuff About Renting
Phone: 610-691-5620 ext. 2038
Description of Services: A program of Community Action Committee of the LehighValley runs tenant education seminars. They can answer questions for LehighValley renters and publish a valuable free guide called The Right Stuff About Renting.
Roofover Family Shelter
902 Philadelphia RoadDutch/Gallows Hill Office
Easton, PA 18042639 Northampton Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-253-4253610-252-7309
Description of Services: NorthamptonCounty residents only. Provides rental assistance. Roofover Family Shelter for homeless families.
Rural Development
2211 Mack Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18103
Phone: 610-791-9810 (press “4” for this program)
Description of Services: This is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program with income limits. Helps with loans for purchase of a home in the Lehigh valley rural areas and also not so rural areas – call for information. Seminar to help understand the buying of homes with this program. For singles and families.
SafeHarbor Shelter
(A program of Community Action Committee of the LehighValley)
536 Bushkill Drive
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-258-5540
Fax: 610-258-8144
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Shelter for single adults only, men and women on as needed basis. Meal center on site, open to all. Serves breakfast and lunch (Families/adults with children welcome on an emergency basis.)
Hours: Monday through Friday: Breakfast: 9 am – 10:30 am; Lunch: 11:45 am – 12:30 pm.
Salisbury Behavioral Health
65 E. Elizabeth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-865-6116
Fax: 610-865-5044
Website:
Description of Services: Provides children and family services. Also provides supported living, independent living & personal care homes.
Sixth Street Shelter
219 North 6th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-435-1490
Fax: 610-433-3282
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Housing for families in separate apartments for up to two months; can get referrals from Pathways Program, Salvation Army, Children and Youth, HAO, Turning Point, Head Start and others. Bilingual staff available. There is a waiting list.
** SouthBethlehemNeighborhoodCenter
700 Evans and Buchanan Streets
PO Box 791
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-865-2791
Website:
Description of Service: Call for employment counseling (Free). Spanish spoken. Also Food Bank Monday and Thursday 9 am – Noon and 1 pm – 5 pm, youth programs and rent assistance (when funds available). Funds only for those living in Bethlehem and Hellertown.
Third StreetAlliance For Women and Children
41 North 3rd Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-258-6271
Fax: 610-258-2112
Website:
Email:
Description of Services: Temporary or long term shelter. Shelter for single women and moms with children up to 13 years of age. Case management for employment; parenting classes, financial management classes. Has bilingual staff; call first.