We keep hearing the phrase “affordable housing” like it’s some magic spell that’s supposed to fix everything. Our leaders love saying it — it sounds good, it gets applause, and it makes it seem like they care. But when you look around, nothing changes. It has become rather evident that the administration and the council use affordable housing as a buzz word to get people to pay attention to their campaign. It sounds caring. It sounds proactive. It also requires zero follow‑through if you just keep repeating it loudly enough. It’s basically the political version of “I’ll start my diet on Monday.
What has Tuerk or Council done to address the housing issues in Allentown? Absolutely nothing. We should not be at all surprised by this, after all Tuerk and Council are self-serving and have not done much for the community so why should housing be more than another political tool to garnish votes? It’s almost like the whole thing is just a slogan to win over lower‑income voters. And honestly, that’s exactly what it feels like. Because if keeping promises was part of the job description, half of these people wouldn’t have a job at all.
We’re told repeatedly that “affordable housing is coming.” Meanwhile, rent for a basic one‑ or two‑bedroom is already around $1,300 or more. A mortgage on a $250,000 house? That’s easily $1,800 a month — if you can even get approved, and if anyone is building a house for that price anymore. Spoiler: they’re not. Builders can’t make a profit on it, so they don’t bother.
So why do local leaders keep acting like they’re about to deliver some miracle solution? There’s barely any land left to build on in the city. And the new homes going up on the state hospital property? Let’s be real — they’re not going to be anywhere near affordable for the average Allentown resident. Not even close.
If the city is going to talk nonstop about affordable housing, then actually do something about it. Otherwise, maybe stick to the stuff they do seem to enjoy — flag raisings, festivals, awkward photo‑ops, and events that look good on social media but don’t fix anything.
Oh, and let’s not forget the shiny $150 million Police, Fire, and Health complex that sailed through with unanimous approval. Amazing how fast money appears when it’s a project the city really wants.
But when it comes to anything that would actually ease the pressure on residents — like real, accessible housing options — suddenly the wallet snaps shut. Suddenly everything is “complicated,” “in review,” or “years away.”
It’s funny how priorities work. Big, shiny projects? Absolutely — those get green lit faster than you can blink.
Community relief? Oh, they’ll talk about it nonstop, parade it around like it’s the top item on the agenda… but show any real interest in actually doing something? Not a chance.
Just my thoughts. What’s yours?
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14 comments:
You got the stooges right. What about the bike accident Tuerk was involved with that everyone is talking about?? Hit and run
The bike accident is another Smollet to get attention.
I am not surprised the mayor hit a vehicle on his bike and kept going. Not at all. He is so entitled in his mind that he thinks the rules and common decency don’t apply to him. (Well, common decency doesnt apply because be is an arrogant prick) He should put his training wheels back on. Maybe he was drunk ….or high ….and that is why he kept going? But he should know Roca would hide anything for him.
I read on WFMZ that Allentown was presented $2.7million to help with affordable housing. The article said the money was being used to fix up two blighted properties into housing units. Translation- money is going to a large developer to fix up in exchange for political support in the future.
As Abe stated, affordable housing is a political tool that is used to get voter support in low income areas. Tuerk and all of council and every politician have quickly figured it out.
Affordable housing is just buzz words. What families want to live in apartments? Affordable housing should include small starter homes.
Give the mayor a break -- he was riding with a seat, again.
The Three Stooge's meme is the best! Kudos to you, ABE. I don't see much of a difference with Roca and Vicky though.
correction. he was riding without a seat again.
Tuerk and Council love affordable housing the way people love gym memberships: they’re very enthusiastic about the idea and absolutely never follow through.
There have been agenda items and council meetings for the last 5 years, where they declare that they are "committed to solutions.” Then they spend the next 18-24 months paying for studies and looking at empty lots to determine whether the vacant lot is emotionally ready for development.
Meanwhile, the “affordable units” they do approve are priced for someone who makes six figures but “identifies as middle class" while sending the city money to their donors.
Whenever someone suggests building more housing, the community responds with its traditional battle cry: “We support affordable housing, just not here, or there, or anywhere visible to the human eye.” Certainly not in the west end.
But don’t worry. I am sure that Tuerk and Napoli are already planning their next big initiative: a task force to investigate why the last task force didn’t produce any affordable housing. After all, the one thing they have managed to deliver is spending tax dollars to bring absolutely no results.
What has anyone done in Allentown city government to combat the housing affordability crisis? Even Cece Gerlach gave up and only started talking about it again when she decided to run for PA Rep.
There is no commitment by these elected officials to the community they serve. They should all be voted out and replaced.
Thank goodness I moved out of Allentown years ago and moved to Macungie. Allentown is such a cesspool with insanely bad city administrators. I read this blog and am disgusted by the ignorance in the city.
Tuerk is a piece of shit liar. He has scammed everyone in Allentown. He told me himself housing is not a priority and feels the unhoused is a county issue.
Two Democrats in the Lehigh Valley are now facing allegations of questionable or potentially fraudulent signatures on their nominating petitions.
Local voters should view this as yet another reminder that too many in the political class seem to operate by a different set of rules than everyone else. And it raises a fair, uncomfortable question: if this is what surfaced publicly, how many others may have quietly slipped onto the ballot the same way?
Actually the mayor and council did address the Affordable Housing issue. Sadly very few took notice at the time as they did it in a way that will be disastrous for the city. Amongst other things, the recently passed new zoning codes will allow rooming houses, back yard dwelling units, and easier variances for converting single family dwelling units into multi units. All this was done to create more "affordable housing" right here in Allentown. Already the zoning board is rubber stamping requests to turn single family dwelling units into multi units. Soon requests for variances for rooming houses, and back yard dwelling units will also be approve.Non of this bodes well for the city's quality of life and livability. Density will increase in areas already too dense, alleys will now have more dwelling units, and rooming houses will proliferate. Parking already a problem be of course become a bigger problem. So be careful what you wish for, because to often in Allentown the only thing worse than the original problem is the Mayor's solution.
The cure(s) for Allentown are worse than the disease(s), sorry to say...
Isn't it illegal to ride a bike on Hamilton St. Without a seat?? The fine is a 2 dollar bill or something.
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