ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two Allentown City Council members are pushing for new measures to protect the city’s homeless residents following the September clearing of the Jordan Creek encampment.
Councilmembers Ce-Ce Gerlach and Natalie Santos introduced an ordinance aimed at safeguarding the rights and safety of people living outdoors. The proposal would require the city to conduct risk assessments of encampments, give residents at least 90 days’ written notice before clearing a site and provide city staff with training on working with the unhoused.
The bill also outlines procedures for how the city should respond to encampments, including standards for addressing unsafe conditions and ensuring the protection of residents’ property during clearances…