Catholic Charities

• Rita Schmoyer 610-435-1541
• catholiccharitiesad.org

Allentown YMCA Warming Station

• Nov. 1 — April 30,  7 PM —7 AM
• 425 S. 15th St., Allentown
• 610-351-9622

Bethlehem Emergency Warming Station (Nov. 15—April 15)

• 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem
• 484-379-6694

New Bethany Ministries

• 333 West 4th St., Bethlehem
• 610-691-5602 ext. 204

Turning Point

• 610-797-0530 Must be in Immediate Danger
• 610-437-3369 (available 24/7)

6th Street Shelter, Allentown

• 219 N. 6th St
• 610-435-1490 One child under 18 years

Salvation Army, Allentown

• 610-432-0128

Community Action Committee

• Anita 610-691-5620

Allentown Rescue Mission

• 355 Hamilton St.
• 610-740-5500 Emergency Shelter

LEHIGH COUNTY

Community Action Committee Lehigh Valley (CACLV) Emergency Rent Assistance Program (ERAP)

• • 610-691-5620
  • CommunityActionLV.org

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Project of Easton

• • 610-258-1100 ext. 13

Catholic Charities Case Management Program:

• Assistance with locating housing and with personal finance
• 610-435-1541 Jamie at ext. 318
• CatholicCharitiesad.org

New Bethany Ministries (Bethlehem, Hellertown, Lower Saucon)

• 610-691-5602 ext. 217 or ext. 208

Lehigh County Conference of Churches (Pathways) Provides Rental Assistance

• 457 W. Allen St., Allentown
• 9 AM—3 PM, Monday—Thursday
• 610-439-8653

Advice from the United Way

To be linked to a resource specialist for housing assistance:

1. First call 211
2. or, go to PA211East.org
3. or, text your Zip Code to 898211

PHFA (Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency)

• Call center: 855-827-3466 and press “0” (zero)  to reach an operator
• PHFA provides:
  • Various loan products
  • Pre-closing counseling to those buying a home through PHFA

County Housing Authorities:

• Lehigh County 610-965-4514
• Northampton County 610-759-8488

What does the Church say?

To help the homeless, Christians are called to engage in charitable enterprises that reach out to all persons in need of basic necessities such as food, drink, clothing, housing, and medical care^[1]. This assistance should be provided with great solicitude, respect for the dignity and freedom of the individuals being helped, and with the aim of gradually enabling them to become self-sufficient^[1]. Giving alms to the poor is highlighted as a chief witness to fraternal charity and is considered a work of justice pleasing to God^[2]. Christians are urged to ensure that the exercise of charity is unexceptionable in appearance and fact, respecting the image of God in those in need and seeing Christ in them^[1]. The Church emphasizes the importance of not only providing material assistance but also getting close to those who suffer, ensuring that help is effective and that the recipients feel at home in Christian communities^[3]. Pope Benedict XVI stresses that acting according to the logic of the Gospel involves bearing the burden of the material and spiritual needs of neighbors, seeing it as an inexhaustible mystery worthy of infinite care and attention^[4]. Ultimately, helping the homeless involves not only addressing their immediate material needs but also recognizing their dignity, respecting their freedom, and working towards their self-sufficiency, all while embodying the spirit of fraternal charity and solidarity^[1][4][2].

Notes: