Allentown leaders set evacuation date for Jordan Creek encampment, approve emergency YMCA funding and a 30‑day search for safe camping site

Mayor Turk told the Allentown City Council and a packed public meeting that the city will clear the homeless encampment along Jordan Creek on Aug. 25 because the site sits in a flood‑prone area and poses a life‑safety risk.

The mayor said the decision follows emergency‑services warnings after several flash‑flood rescues and that the city’s priority is “safety and health.” He asked council to commit funds to get the YMCA warming station open early and pledged a 60‑day feasibility study on a “safe camping” or temporary‑shelter option. Council approved an initial funding package, and later directed the administration to identify and acquire land for a temporary shelter or safe‑camping site within 30 days.

Why it matters: city officials framed the August 25 timeline as a preventive safety step because the encampment sits in a flood hazard area; residents and service providers warned that a forced sweep without alternatives would scatter people, disrupt health care and social services, and increase risks for the unhoused.

What the council approved - Emergency YMCA funding: Council voted to take whatever steps were necessary to provide funds so the Allentown YMCA could open its warming station early. The plan approved at the meeting specifies an initial $25,000 from council and $25,000 from the mayor (an initial $50,000 total) to cover operations while partners and other funders are sought; YMCA operations were estimated at about $50,000 per month. The motion to expend funds for an early opening was made by Councilman Napoli and was approved by the council. - Land for temporary shelter / safe camping: Councilwoman Gerlach moved and the council approved a motion directing the administration to work with Lehigh County and community partners to identify and acquire (lease or purchase) a parcel — including city and county properties — to be used as an initial temporary safe‑camping or temporary‑shelter location within 30 days. The motion was seconded and passed 7–0. - Harm‑reduction tents/tarps: In case eviction proceeded before alternatives were ready, council approved up to $8,000 to purchase high‑quality tents and tarps to distribute via a local nonprofit (the Conference of Churches was named as the preferred operator if needed).

Council and administration positions: The mayor repeatedly stressed that the decision to clear the encampment was driven by the fire department’s professional assessment of flood risk and recent rescues, and that it was taken reluctantly. He said the administration would run a feasibility study on safe camping and explore early YMCA operations, and asked council for immediate financial support. Council members expressed urgency and some pushed for a shorter feasibility timeline (Councilwoman Gerlach shortened the administration’s proposed 60‑day study to a 30‑day target for locating a parcel).

Service providers and residents: Dozens of providers and residents spoke during public comment. Outreach workers, health‑care providers and nonprofits — including Valley Health Partners Street Medicine, Lehigh Valley Conference of Churches, the Commission on Homelessness and street‑medicine staff — warned that sweeping the camp with no guaranteed alternatives would break trust, interrupt medical care, increase deaths and push people into more dangerous, harder‑to‑reach locations. Several residents said the YMCA’s shelter rules, capacity and accessibility do not suit everyone (pets, couples, women concerned about safety, people with mobility problems). Providers reported that many people at the site are disabled or on disability benefits and that most are on the county’s housing wait list.

Timing and next steps: The mayor asked for the 60‑day study on safe camping but indicated the administration could bring preliminary options to council earlier if feasible; Councilwoman Gerlach secured council direction to identify land and, if feasible, lease it immediately and begin a temporary shelter/safe‑camping operation within 30 days. The initial YMCA funding will be used to open operations early while partners, county and philanthropic commitments are sought. The administration said it will continue outreach, coordinate with nonprofit partners and inform residents of flood warnings and other immediate safety notices.

Legal and procedural notes: Council members were advised by the city solicitor that the mayor controls and directs city departments per the charter, so council can pass motions urging or encouraging administrative action but cannot directly order department operations; council voted to encourage the mayor and administration to extend eviction timing if alternatives are not ready.

Ending: Council passed the land‑acquisition motion unanimously and approved the initial YMCA funding. City officials said they will continue coordinating with county officials, nonprofit partners and providers and return to council with updates as plans progress.