Bethlehem's Comprehensive Housing Strategy
The Lehigh Valley is in the throes of an affordable housing crisis. Over the last three years in Bethlehem, the median sales and rental prices have jumped more than 50%.
Recognizing the crisis, the City of Bethlehem launched its Comprehensive Housing Strategy in mid-2022 to find data-driven solutions to this complex issue. The eventual final plan will leave the City with a toolbox of targeted strategies for its unique real estate market. The goal is to help as many people as possible with the City’s available resources.
The first phase of the study included an update of the City’s 2017 market value analysis – a deep data dive into local real estate factors – and a housing needs assessment. An extensive community engagement effort was undertaken this fall with more than 3,500 people taking a housing survey and participating in 11 pop-up engagement events across the city. The City also conducted focus groups and one-on-one interviews with the Lehigh Valley’s housing stakeholders, including nonprofits, major employers, financial institutions, Realtors and developers.
City staff, the consultant team and a Housing Strategy Committee, comprised of local stakeholders, have vetted the housing strategies best suited for Bethlehem’s real estate market to formulate the final plan.
If you have questions about the study contact Sara Satullo, deputy director of community development, at ssatullo@bethlehem-pa.gov.
Phases
Implementation
The City of Bethlehem continues to offer updates on affordable housing initiatives alongside our community partners:
2024 Opening Doors Community Meetings
To share the Opening Doors plan with the public the City hosted an open house community meeting on January 24, 2024, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here. The informational posters can be found here in English. And in Spanish here.
The second quarter 2024 Opening Doors Steering Committee meeting was held Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here.
The third quarter 2024 Opening Doors Steering Committee meeting was held Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here.
2025 Opening Doors Community Meetings
An Opening Doors Steering Committee meeting was held Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here.
2026 Opening Doors Community Meetings
The Q4 2025/Q1 2026 Opening Doors Steering Committee meeting was held Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here. A video of the presentation is here.
The Q2 2026 Opening Doors Steering Committee meeting was held Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Northampton Community College's Fowler Southside Center. The presentation can be found here. A video of the presentation is here.
Opening Doors Plans
Opening Doors: Strategies to Build Housing Stability in Bethlehem
Appendix Bethlehem Market Value Analysis and Displacement Risk Ratio
Opening Doors: Bethlehem Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness
Opening Doors Affordable Housing Presentations to Bethlehem City Council
On October 10, 2023, the City presented Opening Doors: Strategies to Build Housing Stability in Bethlehem to the Community Development Committee. Watch the meeting here. The presentation can be found here.
On September 26, 2023, the City presented Opening Doors: Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness to the Community Development Committee. Watch the meeting here. The presentation can be found here.
The City of Bethlehem, in partnership with The Reinvestment Fund, Atria Planning and Collabo Planning, presented an update on the City's Affordable Housing Strategies at the March 7, 2023, Community Development Committee. Watch the meeting here. The presentation can be found here.
The City of Bethlehem, in partnership with The Reinvestment Fund, Atria Planning and Collabo Planning, presented an update on the City's Housing Needs Assessment at the February 7, 2023, Community Development Committee. Watch the meeting here. The presentation can be found here.