Samuelson announces Bethlehem Emergency Shelter upgrades helped by $1.75 million state grant
Rep. Steve Samuelson July 16, 2026 | 3:54 PM
HARRISBURG, July 16 – An extensive renovation of the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter moves ever closer to completion thanks to a $1.75 million state grant awarded today and advocated for by Rep. Steve Samuelson.
“The 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. Their staff do amazing work helping local women and men who are experiencing great challenges that have left them unhoused. I am glad that through my advocacy, I was able to work with the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro to acquire this funding, so the Market Street building can be upgraded,” said Samuelson, D-Northampton.
The city of Bethlehem will use the $1.75 million grant for a comprehensive renovation and reconfiguration of the existing structure on Market Street. The basement will be upgraded cosmetically while accommodating a kitchen, social hall, storage and a new mechanical/elevator room. The first floor (women's shelter) will be redesigned to include 35 congregate and 6 non-congregate beds, improved restrooms with showers and laundry, and a reconfigured administration wing with new offices and conference space. The second floor (men's shelter) will mirror these improvements.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a $313,608 state grant secured by Samuelson in May for the shelter that boosted the project to convert the facility to one that is year-round for the community’s most vulnerable unhoused population. Those funds were provided through the Local Share Account program, which is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The Rev. Canon Rodney Conn, BES board chair said: “Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering is grateful to receive this grant. It will greatly strengthen the mission of BES and our partnerships with our nearly 700 volunteers, Christ UCC Church, the city of Bethlehem, and the service providers we have established and hope to establish. BES and our partners continue to advocate for and serve the most vulnerable members of our community in order to keep them safe.”
The funding was acquired through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is made available for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.