The Housing Counseling Team at Community Action Lehigh Valley provides comprehensive support, ranging from pre-purchase counseling and mortgage foreclosure diversion to financial education and more. Hear from individuals like Amoury, who faced the threat of foreclosure when his clients fell behind on payments, and Joan, who nearly lost her inherited family home after an unexpected job loss. Discover how our HUD-certified Housing Counselors are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, striving for the best possible outcomes to foster economic opportunity within our community. Videography by: Marco Calderon, @CalderonPhoto

Check out our highlight reel from the 2023 Annual Meeting: Affordable Housing is a Human Right. On November 1st, Community Action Lehigh Valley held a gathering at Wind Creek Bethlehem for our largest Annual Meeting yet. Thanks to everyone in our local community, housing professionals, advocates, and legislators who joined us. Together, we raised our voices to highlight the urgent affordable housing crisis, reinforcing our belief that affordable housing is a human right.⁠ ⁠ We appreciate our esteemed guest speakers: Dawn Godshall, Congresswoman Susan Wild, Alan Jennings, Chuck Weiss, Lou Cinquino - and all Community Action participants who enriched our event with their impactful testimonial videos.⁠ Videography: ASR Media Productions

Chelsie Morales was en route to Temple University with a full scholarship when she became pregnant. Without support from her family, she had nowhere to turn and was desperate to find a way to provide basic human needs for herself and her baby. After beginning her stay at the Sixth Street Shelter, a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley, Chelsea was able to support herself and her children. She now owns two successful businesses. The goal of the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown, PA is to end generational poverty and eliminate families experiencing homelessness by increasing independence through self-sufficiency. We help guests share their voice, grow as an individual and family unit, increase academic progress, and find work and affordable housing so they can be as successful as we know they can be. To donate to SSS and directly assist local families in need, please visit sixthstreetshelter.org. Videography: Marco Calderon, @calederonphoto

Hear a heartfelt voicemail from Fred, a thrilled beneficiary of Community Action Homes' initiatives. We collaborate with local municipalities in the Lehigh Valley to elevate the standard of affordable housing through an all-encompassing housing revitalization approach. Our strategy encompasses acquiring homes, refurbishing them for resale to qualified buyers, renovating owner-occupied residences, and enhancing façades. Integrated within Community Action Homes are our Housing Counseling program, the Lehigh Valley Community Land Trust subsidiary, and the Weatherization initiative. Join us in making a difference in the community!

On November 1, 2023, Community Action Lehigh Valley held its largest Annual Meeting to date, marking a milestone in our collective effort to address the pressing issue of economic opportunity in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. This event brought together a diverse group of individuals including local community members, housing professionals, advocates, and legislators, each playing a vital role in our discussion and actions towards housing accessibility. Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this significant gathering. It was a day where voices were raised in unison to not only address the critical affordable housing crisis, but also to reinforce the foundational belief that access to affordable housing is a human right. Thank you to our esteemed guest speakers - Dawn Godshall, Congresswoman Susan Wild, Alan Jennings, Chuck Weiss, and Lou Cinquino. Their insights and perspectives greatly enriched the dialogue of the day. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to all Community Action participants who shared their powerful testimonial videos, adding depth and personal resonance to our mission. Together, this event was more than just a meeting; it was a step forward in our ongoing commitment to ensure that affordable housing is accessible to all. Videography: ASR Media Productions

Jacqueline was a victim of domestic violence when she suddenly fell ill. With no support from her family and nowhere to turn, she knew she needed to escape. Fortunately, Sixth Street Shelter could provide her with everything she needed to become successful. After enrolling in a 2-year college program, setting up a savings account, and attending financial literacy and nutrition courses provided by the Shelter, Jacqueline felt she finally had the tools she needed to move forward. She now owns her own home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and is an advocate for people experiencing homelessness. The Sixth Street Shelter is the largest family shelter in the Lehigh Valley region. We accept families of any configuration, including those with adult children, single fathers, and the LGBTQ+ community. Whatever the family grouping looks like, all are welcome so long as they have custody of at least one child under the age of 18 who will be residing with them. To learn more about SSS and how you can donate, please visit sixthstreetshelter.org. Videography: Marco Calderon, @calederonphoto

In the wake of COVID-19, Community Action Lehigh Valley collaborated with Catholic Charities to channel over $40 million into an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). We sat down with two beneficiaries to understand the profound impact of this initiative. Meet Kenny: a devoted single father and master's degree holder. An identity theft crisis saw him lose thousands of dollars from his savings. With dwindling time and mounting pressure from his landlord, he was on the brink of homelessness, potentially separating him from his daughter. Our ERAP program became his beacon of hope. Then there's Leslie, a loving guardian to her three grandchildren. Stricken with COVID twice and without the benefit of paid sick leave, she grappled with escalating bills. Without the lifeline that our ERAP provided, the prospect of her grandchildren entering foster care became all too real. Unfortunately, ERAP funding concluded in October 2023. Organizations like Community Action urgently require sustained governmental support and resources. Our mission is clear: to extend emergency aid to those in dire straits, ensuring every individual has a safe and nurturing environment with their loved ones. In fiscal year 2022-2023, Community Action's program assisted 1,608 households by preventing eviction. Videography: Marco Calderon, @calderonphoto