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CDBG/Home/ESG

 
CITY OF BETHLEHEM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
DRAFT CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)
FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2025
Posting Date: March 11, 2026

In accordance with Title I of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, P.L. 101-624, and the regulations of 24 CFR 91.520, the City of Bethlehem (“City”) hereby gives notice that it has completed a draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (“CAPER”) for its Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) program and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, each for the period covering January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. This CAPER contains information including, without limitation: 1) summary of resources and accomplishments; 2) status of actions taken during the year to implement the goals outlined in the City’s CDBG/HOME Consolidated Plan; and 3) evaluation of the progress made during the reporting year in addressing identified priority needs and objectives. The draft contains estimated figures and preliminary data and is subject to modification and revision before final submission. The final submission will also include additional attachment and background materials. Interested citizens are invited to examine this CAPER report and comment on its contents before submission of the program year (“PY”) 2025 CAPER report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Written comments on the draft CAPER will be accepted during a Comment Period running from Wednesday, March 11, 2026 through Friday, March 27, 2026 (the “Comment Period”). Comments may be emailed to Robert G. Vidoni, Housing and Community Development Administrator (rvidoni@bethlehem-pa.gov), with copy to Elivonne Nehmeh, Grants Specialist (enehmeh@bethlehem-pa.gov), anytime during the Comment Period, or delivered to the Community Development Bureau, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018, weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:15 P, before the close of the Comment Period. Comments may also be provided by phone by calling Elivonne Nehmeh at 610-419-1447, weekdays, from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Comments must be received before 4:30 pm on March 27, 2026. 
The draft PY 2025 CAPER report is available to view here.

During the Comment Period, the report will be available at the following locations:
- The lobby area of City Hall, 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 (see the door monitor at the front desk) (Hours 8:30 PM to 4:00 PM);
- Department of Community and Economic Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, City  Hall, 10 East Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 (during business hours: non-holiday weekdays, 8:00 am through 4:15 pm);
- Bethlehem Public Library North Branch, 11 West Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 (during business hours, see front desk); 
- City’s website at the following address: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Community-Economic-Development/Community-Development/CDBG-Home

The City intends to submit its final PY 2025 CAPER report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or before March 30, 2026, which may incorporate revisions and/or comments, if any.

This notice is issued in accordance with CDBG and HOME regulations. The City of Bethlehem does not discriminate based on disability. If you are in need of translation services or reasonable disability accommodations related to reading, accessing, and/or providing comments, please contact Elivonne Nehmeh at enehmeh@bethlehem-pa.gov or 610-419-1447. City Hall is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking is available at the primary entrance to City Hall at 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

CITY OF BETHLEHEM, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUREAU.
First floor, 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Phone: (610) 865-7085
 
 
Training Library
HOME Resource Library

The City of Bethlehem accepts applications for HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding on a rolling basis. The HOME Program is administered by HUD and was established in 1990 to assist low-income households. 

HOME funds are intended to: Increase the supply of quality affordable housing for lower-income households; Expand nonprofit housing provider capacity; Strengthen government capacity to provide housing; and Leverage private-sector investments in housing.

The program funds a variety of eligible housing activities including direct rental and purchase assistance and building, acquiring, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or ownership.

Organizations with potential HOME projects are encouraged to contact the City to discuss their plans. Call or email Robert Vidoni, Housing and Community Development Administrator, at 610-997-5731 or rvidoni@bethlehem-pa.gov if you would like to discuss potential projects. 

The City's HOME application is available on its Neighborly portal at https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/BETHLEHEMPA/participant

Additional information can be found at the links below. 
 
Plans and Reports
Environmental Reviews

HUD makes publicly available environmental review records categorized as environmental assessments, CEST and CEST that converts to Exempt. Click here to access HUD's website and the City's environmental reviews.

CDBG ApplicationS and CDBG RESOURCES

2026 CDBG Applications - CDBG Applications are currently closed. 
Pending 2026 availibility of federal funding, we anticipate that the next cycle of applications will likely open in early 2026. For more information, or to discuss potential future applications or project eligibility, please contact Robert G. Vidoni, at rvidoni@bethlehem-pa.gov or 610-997-5731. For information on how to apply for CDBG for the next cycle, please see the Community Development Block Grant Application Guide.

CDBG Hearing Notice
Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds for Tiered Projects
HUD Environmental Review Record (ERR)

CDBG RESOURCES

2025 CDBG Income Limits
2025 CDBG Income Self-Certification

 

 

HOME Application

Applications for the City of Bethlehem's HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) are reviewed on a rolling basis.  Apply online through Neighborly:

Neighborly.jpg

Fair Housing
Equal Housing Opportunity logo

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, national origin, and disability. It also requires that all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing.


North Penn Legal Services is the City of Bethlehem's Fair Housing partner. More information about Fair Housing is available on North Penn's website, and on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website. 

Complaints
Persons who believe they have experienced discrimination in housing rental, sales, or financing because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, or familial status can contact any of the following entities:

North Penn Legal Services
Bethlehem Office
559 Main Street, Suite 200
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Housing discrimination line: 610-317-5322
https://www.nplspa.org/

City of Bethlehem Fair Housing Officer
Jennifer M. Swett
JSwett@bethlehem-pa.gov 
610-865-7099

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint

 

Program Contacts

Robert G. Vidoni, Esq. 
Housing & Community Development Administrator, rvidoni@bethlehem-pa.gov
610-997-5731