Dennis Capozzolo,
Interim Executive Director

830 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101

Phone: (610) 439-7007
Fax: (616) 439-7888

info@housingabc.org
www.housingabc.org

Counties Served: Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill

Incorporated: 1975

^{Printer-Friendly Format}

The Lehigh Valley, in northeast Pennsylvania, is located 70 miles from New York City and just over 60 miles from Philadelphia. The Valley’s midway point between two of the largest east coast cities make it an appealing location for both businesses and residents. The area is home to “America’s oldest brewery,” Yuengling Brewery in Schuylkill County; the “Outlet Capital of the World” in Berks County; Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom amusement park in Lehigh County; the “Christmas City” of Bethlehem in Lehigh and Northampton Counties; and the quaint Victorian town of Jim Thorpe, named for the famed Olympic athlete, in Carbon County.

The Valley’s economy is based largely on health care services, agriculture, business and manufacturing (electronic equipment, food products, and textiles.) Although the region is prosperous, there is a severe shortage of affordable housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has designated Monroe County as a difficult development area due to high land values and soaring construction costs. In addition, the housing stock in Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe Carbon, Schuylkill and Berks counties averages to be more than 50 years old.