Northampton County

Fuel assistance offered

The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging began its Emergency Fuel Assistance Program Nov. 1. This program is for once-a-season fuel assistance of $780.

In order to be eligible, an individual needs to be 60-years of age or older, reside in Northampton County, and have already applied for and received or been denied Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. Their fuel tank needs to be at 1/4 full or less. For assistance with gas or electric heat, a shut-off notice is required.

To apply, contact the Northampton County Information & Referral Emergency Services 610-559-3270 or 610-829-4800. When a referral is received, a Northampton County Area Agency on Aging staff person will schedule a home visit to determine eligibility.

Correction trainees graduate

Lamont McClure congratulated Class #84 of the Training Academy for the Northampton County Department of Corrections. The 11 graduates received their certificates Thursday, Nov. 10 during a ceremony at the Northampton County Prison.

The new corrections officers are Jamilia Bowens, Marc Colon, Diamond Edwards, Nikya Hassan, Chauntelle Jackson, Ogie Sekulski, Carrie Sekulski, August Termini, Maria Twarogowski, Ashley Wilcken and Shaneemah Williams.

County purchases land for affordable housing

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has announced that the county, along with Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, has purchased two separate tracts of land totaling 11 acres in Forks Township to be used for affordable housing.

The county paid $1 million for the land, with Habitat for Humanity providing $300,000 for a total purchase price of $1.3 million. A fair market appraisal indicated that the two parcels have a combined value of $3.9 million. The sellers sold the property below fair market value as an “in kind” contribution to Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. County Council approved the purchase at its Nov. 3 meeting.

“Lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest problems we have in Northampton County today,” says County Executive Lamont McClure.

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley plans to construct 50 affordable housing units on the property.