Innovative Program Aims to Address Lack of Affordable Housing

Lehigh is partnering with Community Action Lehigh Valley (CALV), the City of Bethlehem and New Bethany Inc. in an innovative program aimed at addressing the acute lack of affordable housing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Under the direction of Wes Hiatt, assistant professor of architecture and faculty co-director of the Small Cities Lab at Lehigh, the program aims to address one component of the issue through a responsible revival of the Alley House—a historic housing type once common in the city.

“This program presents a unique opportunity for our students to actively contribute by engaging in real-world challenges and collaborating with the City to implement tangible solutions outlined in its housing plan,” said Karen Beck-Pooley, professor of practice in the Department of Political Science and director of the Community Fellows graduate program and Environmental Policy program, alongside her role as faculty co-director of the Small Cities Lab.

The community partners were awarded $850,000 in funding for the project through passage of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill. Additional funding includes a U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant for $196,722 to conduct a qualitative survey of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinances, cataloging best practices and other financial incentives that contributed to the success of ADU reforms in small-to-medium-sized municipalities.

“Embracing innovation and community collaboration, the Alley House Program presents a remarkable opportunity for Lehigh University researchers and students to address the pressing issue of affordable housing,” said Lehigh Provost Nathan Urban.

The program aligns with Lehigh’s research and educational mission, as well as the missions of CALV and New Bethany to help provide access to quality housing options for all community members, and supports the City of Bethlehem’s 2023 affordable housing strategy study.