10/16/2026
๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
The City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES) will be able to make long-awaited facility improvements thanks in part to three state grants secured by Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-Northampton County District 135).
The grants amount to $2,563,608 and will go toward an extensive list of projects. The kitchen will be renovated, along with the food storage area and the social hall where guests have their meals. The womenโs first-floor dormitory and the menโs second-floor rooms will be reconfigured to improve the sleeping environment. Restrooms and showers will be upgraded, along with the administration offices and conference space so service providers will have access to private areas when assisting guests.
Perhaps the most impactful project will be the addition of an elevator and elevator room for easier access to the dorm rooms, kitchen, and dining areas.
โThese grants will go a long way toward upgrading the shelter so BES can better serve the most vulnerable people in our community,โ says The Rev. Canon Rodney Conn, BES board chair. โThe grants also will improve the working environment for the many volunteers, partner churches, and organizations who do so much for the shelter.โ
โThe shelter is in the heart of my district; it's only a block away from my office and we refer people there all the time." says Samuelson. "Their staff do amazing work helping local women and men who are experiencing challenges that have left them unhoused. I am glad that I was able to work with the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro to acquire this funding, so the shelter can be upgraded."
The shelter improvements will begin after the development of a detailed engineering and architectural plan. This will result in an updated cost estimate and a construction schedule which will minimize disruption to guests, volunteers, and Christ Church UCC.
As the design phase and eventual construction process move forward, BES will reach out to supporters and the community to increase the annual operational income to meet the demands of a twelve-month shelter.
Outreach is needed because renovation costs are estimated to be nearly $6 million. The three grants plus previously secured matching funds bring the total close to this goal although work remains to be done.
BES will not receive the grants directly. The grants will go to the City of Bethlehem, which will manage and disperse the funds through the Local Share Account Program, a part of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA is an independent agency with fiduciary responsibility over Pennsylvaniaโs economic growth programs.
An important distinction is that the Cityโs only role in the process is to oversee reimbursements. Shelter operations as well as the facility will continue to be the responsibilities of BES and Christ Church UCC.
