Allentown faces a striking lack of tree equity, or the even distribution of trees. How did this come to be? What is the city doing about it? By Zoe Lachter

Urban parks are especially important in a dense, formally industry based city like Allentown, that once lacked easy access to the natural environment, as the remnants of the industrial era still linger in the city, especially by the river.

We are seeing increase flooding in the Lehigh Valley, and warehouse development might have something to do with it. By CL

Allentown needs to identify all their lead pipes so that they can be replaced. How will this impact you? By Maddie Davidson

PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have been found in our bodies, in our water, in our soil, in places across the country… including here in Allentown. By Alena Ruckh

Over the past year, the Commission on Homelessness has seen lower attendance rates at each monthly meeting. As Allentown’s city officials struggle to find a clear path towards ending homelessness, we look at the now defunct Commission to End Chronic Homelessness to help understand where we might go next.

With more people struggling to find housing in Allentown, we revisit the tiny homes proposal.

As the waterfront redevelopment takes shape, residents are left wondering how the investment will impact them.

"“The goal in Allentown is to educate renters about their rights, and to continue to advocate for better rental conditions as well as push for action to be taken against absentee landlords and slumlords who are exploiting renters."

The complicated journey to get funding for restoration of the historic Americus Hotel property located in the heart of the city's Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

As government rental assistance runs out, can we work on solving the eviction crisis instead of relying on quick and temporary solutions?

"For us, the most important thing is for people to feel safe, for people to feel supported and connected because it’s through those relationships that they can start to heal. We all have things we need to heal from.”

"We are all in the same community. So, I think bringing awareness to what we're doing, bringing awareness to what is trauma and how impactful trauma is, how important relationships can be, and just giving people dignity and respect.”

I lived in New York City for most of my life after coming to the United States from Jamaica. I moved to Allentown in order to be closer to my dad. I instantly fell in love with the city and it was a nice change in pace from where I

"I was asked the other day if I could have any superpower what it would be, mine would be to end homelessness."

While roughly 7% of youth in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+ they comprise 40% of unhoused youth. Why LGBTQ+ experience higher rates of homelssness often comes down to acceptance at home.

"It’s not always the drama that you see on TV, sometimes it's just as simple as you thought you were coming here to get a good job. You started off at a job, things look right. And then all of a sudden things change."

The Neighborhood Improvement Zone, or NIZ, was marketed as a revitalization of Allentown, to reshape the landscape of the city, bring new people in and create a better area for its residents.

What happens when people in Allentown suddenly find themselves in need of housing?

Allentown doesn’t have a redlining map, or at least not one that has survived to be examined today. Yet, even without an official red line on a map, investors seem to have drawn that line of their own when it comes to home sales in the city.

Maintaining affordable housing in a city like Allentown with its older buildings and high demand isn't cheap, and the city's public housing authority has long been underfunded.

owner, Assembly88 “The first store I opened up back in 1999 was the Archive, which was similar to Assembly88 but it was mostly shoes. For whatever reason, there seems to be less people looking to work in person nowadays, even for part time. It’s hard to find part time employees.

"We see this potential, and that’s what kind of really keeps us going."

"When properties have the Waterfront as the background, it’s a gem…In time, this is going to be an absolutely beautiful area."

"But I wasn’t going to let this die with my dad. I was going to take the reins and do something."

"We build a lot of personal relationships. I have some barbers that have built personal relationships with realtors, radio hosts, police officers."

"I have relationships through all these years growing up here, and I still get amazed that people from 20, 30 years ago remember me."

As the pandemic brought an increase in unemployment, those who were already struggling to pay their rent found themselves in a precarious situation.

"The PPL Center has improved the area a lot, but not in the 1st and 6th wards. We need a bank, preferably a credit union. We need a recreation center. That would be awesome."

“Allentown’s community is willing to make Allentown a better place. I want Allentown to be a better place. I bring my kids with me when I volunteer. I want them to know it is good to make others feel good. Allentown is my home, my community, Allentown is what made