A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

An initiative targeted to helping community leaders plan for and carry out effective and comprehensive revitalization efforts can have an enormous impact on the quality of life, both now and far into the future.

Study Area City of Allentown Census Tract: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

Allentown is the largest municipality part of what is known as the Lehigh Valley. The Lehigh Valley, the pair of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, is one of the fastest-growing regions in Pennsylvania.​

PROGRAM MISSION

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center has partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) to implement the Blueprint Communities initiative which serves as a catalyst for revitalizing older communities and neighborhoods. The initiative is designed to build strong local leadership, collaboration, and development capacity, develop sound local and regional planning skills, and encourage coordinated investments in targeted communities by public and private funders. 

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.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

The Allentown Blueprint community  neighborhoods are diverse, inclusive and welcoming environments where residents have access to safe, healthy, stable, and affordable housing, family-sustaining work force opportunities,  community services,  plentiful neighborhood amenities, and an environment that supports  equitable economic growth and mobility. 

OUR 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 + preserving safe, healthy + affordable housing

  • Upgrading existing housing stock

  • Activating public spaces through neighborhood engagement

ALLENTOWN’S TEAM

Julio Guridy, Executive Director  | Allentown Housing Authority

Judith Hunsicker, COO, First Executive Officer | Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley

Daniel Bosket, Director | Community Action Development Corp., Allentown

Mark Hartney, Deputy Director | Community & Economic Development, City of Allentown

 Ellen Larmer, Housing Development Officer | Lehigh County Housing Authority

Trevor Tormann, Senior Planner | City of Allentown 

Kevin McNulty, Senior Planner | City of Allentown 

Huda Hagos, Community Fellow | City of Allentown 

Diana Vargas, Community Health Liaison Manager | St. Luke’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Campus

Cynthia Marin, Marketing & Communications Specialist | Allentown Economic Development Corp.

Lilly Figuero, | CASA Guadalupe LV

Katarah Jordan | Boys and Girls Club of Allentown

Ellen Denizard | Star Community Health

Blueprint Communities PA Kickoff Ceremony, April 29, 2024

Start Today

Start Today

We're Hiring: Part-Time Project Coordinator

The Allentown Blueprint Communities Leadership Team is excited to announce an opportunity to join our mission-driven initiative as a Part-Time Project Coordinator. This role is central to launching and implementing the innovative Allentown Blueprint Communities project, supported by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.

We’re looking for someone who is:

  • Passionate about economic opportunity, equality, and social justice

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

  • Familiar with the Allentown community, especially the Blueprint Communities footprint (Hamilton St. South to Tilghman St., and 7th St. East to Front St.)

Key Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and attend committee meetings, prepare agendas, and take minutes

  • Track project progress, milestones, and budgets

  • Maintain organized digital records and photo documentation

  • Engage with community members and maintain contact lists

  • Support environmental scans, asset inventories, and historical research

  • Attend and document community events

  • Assist with mapping and parcel research

  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Strong organizational and communication skills

  • Self-motivated and able to work independently

  • Experience in project coordination and teamwork

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Canva, and digital photography

  • Reliable internet access and transportation

  • Preferably bilingual (Spanish/English)

Details

  • Wage: $25/hour (no benefits)

  • Contract Period: August 2025 – December 2025

  • Hours: 15–25 hours/week (total of 260 hours)

  • Work Mode: Hybrid – in-person meetings/events and remote assignments

  • Equipment Provided: Laptop and printer

📩 Interested?
Please send your resume and cover letter to:
contact@allentownblueprintcommunities.com