Exciting news for Allentown! This past April, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) announced the City of Allentown as one of ten communities to be accepted into the 2024 Blueprint Communities initiative.

Started in 2005 by FHLB, and now operated by Pennsylvania's Downtown Center, the program aims to continue the revitalization of communities and neighborhoods by investing in local leadership and through expert direction and planning.

WHAT IS A BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY?

Blueprint Communities® is an initiative of Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) that revitalizes communities and neighborhoods in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Created by FHLBank in 2005, the initiative prepares and supports Blueprint Communities teams as they develop and implement a revitalization plan.

Community teams receive a series of capacity building skills over a 10-year period to help them prioritize initiatives, connect to expertise, build a plan of action, and access implementation resources.

Plans are designed with community input to address locally identified needs. Past plans have included strategies to increase tourism, develop quality affordable housing, support the local business community, and redevelop historic buildings.

**Allentown's Team:** Julio Guridy, *Allentown Housing Authority* | Judy Hunsicker, *Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley* | Ellen Larmer, *Lehigh County Housing Authority* | Giselle Espada, *CASA Guadalupe* | Dan Bosket, *Community Action Development Corporation Allentown* | Mark Hartney, *City of Allentown* | Lauren Matthews, *Allentown Economic Development Corporation* | Trevor Tormann, *City of Allentown* | Dianna Vargas, *St. Luke’s Hospital - Sacred Heart Campus*

ALLENTOWN’S VISION STATEMENT

The Allentown Blueprint community neighborhoods are inclusive and welcoming environments where residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, family-sustaining employment, community services, and valuable neighborhood resources to ensure success.

ALLENTOWN’S PRIORITIES

Revitalize the Allentown Blueprint community neighborhoods through meaningful engagement of the community residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government to enhance and sustain the quality of life of all residents by creating and ensuring:

Safe, stable + affordable housing
Accessible services + resources
Family-sustaining employment opportunities
Access to safe recreational areas

The team will continue training for the next 18-months.

Blueprint Communities Allentown

Staff Spotlight: Marsha Cox

Cheers to another year of growth + success, Laurence!