Chairperson Janine Santoro described the city’s homelessness and affordable housing plans at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force meeting at the Fowler Center Nov. 29.

Santoro said next year’s budget has allocated $2 million promised for a permanent homeless shelter and an additional $5 million is allocated to address affordable housing. The city is still conducting a feasibility study.

She provided an online link to Mayor William Reynolds’ Nov. 11 budget address, as well as links to a We Build Bethlehem, Permanent Homeless Shelter Solution video, and the Affordable Housing Survey.

State Rep. Steve Samuelson (D) reported on $125 million being allocated for Pennsylvania’s bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs Program. Up to $50,000 in grants for habitability repairs and energy efficiency upgrades will be made available for qualifying homeowners and independent landlords. Northampton County has administered $2.2 million of the grant funding and $2.7 million will go to Lehigh County.

Samuelson said his office is assisting constituents with state rent and mortgage tax rebates for seniors and the disabled. He passed out United Way of the Lehigh Valley booklets listing resources for seniors.

Fair funding for school districts is another initiative the legislature is addressing, according to Samuelson, while he noted that Bethlehem has been previously underfunded.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities Group mentioned they are working on finding community consensus on providing affordable housing and homelessness solutions.

Katy Wirth from SouthSide Arts District reported on the Nov. 26 SouthSide Christmas Tree Lighting held at Touchstone Theater’s Barrio Stage. She promoted the upcoming Naughty or Nice Cocktails & Cookies Crawl scheduled for the first two Saturdays of December.

Christine Wieder described upcoming programs at the Bethlehem Area Public Library South Side Branch. These include gift wrapping and holiday-related crafts for adults and An Evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus for kids and families with “ornament making, cookie eating and storytelling.”

Lehigh University Police Officer CR Stokes said the Shop with a Cop for families in need is happening Dec. 10. “It’s nice to be able to put a smile on a kid’s face,” he reflected.

Stokes said that, with Lehigh University’s assistance, New Bethany Ministries provided a free Thanksgiving meal to around 200 people.

Susan Vitez from Steelworkers’ Archives gratefully showed off the Bethlehem Press front page coverage of one of the recent Steeples and Steel Tours. She mentioned the walking tours of the Bethlehem Steel site continue through the end of December. Afterward, private guided tours can be arranged through the Steelworkers’ Archives.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.