Council Advances Workforce Housing Bill
Allentown City Council voted to forward Bill 82 and a proposed $125 rental inspection fee to its next meeting.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Apartments
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Should Allentown require new large apartment projects to include moderate-income affordable units?
Allentown City Council voted to forward a proposed workforce housing bill that would require certain multifamily developments to include units affordable to moderate-income households. A separate proposed rental property maintenance amendment would establish a $125 fee for additional inspections resulting from substantiated code violations.
Why it matters
The bill would tie affordability requirements to tax abatements, Housing Trust Fund money and publicly owned land, shaping how new multifamily projects in Allentown are built and financed. The inspection fee would shift part of the cost of repeat code enforcement onto rental property owners.
The proposed workforce housing bill applies to developments of 10 or more units that receive LERTA tax abatements, at least $250,000 in City Housing Trust Fund funding, or use publicly owned or controlled land. The proposed rental inspection fee is $125 per additional inspection tied to substantiated code violations, and the council has not yet taken a final vote on either measure.
The players
Allentown City Council
The elected legislative body of Allentown, Pennsylvania, responsible for enacting city ordinances including zoning, housing and code enforcement rules.
Ce-Ce Gerlach
An Allentown city councilmember who sponsored Bill 82 and urged the full council to discuss the entire bill.
Cynthia Mota
An Allentown city councilmember who co-sponsored Bill 82 and was absent from the special meeting where the bills were forwarded.
Vicky Kistler
The city's director of community and economic development who argued that additional inspection fees are justified by disproportionate use of city services.
The details
Council voted to forward Bill 82, an amended version sponsored by Councilmembers Ce-Ce Gerlach and Cynthia Mota, along with the rental property maintenance amendment. Gerlach said she preferred the full council discuss the entire bill so Mota, who was absent from Wednesday's special meeting, could provide input. Vicky Kistler, director of community and economic development, said additional fees are warranted when inspections create a disproportionate use of city services.
Timeline
Nov. 11, 2026: Council voted to forward the workforce housing and inspection fee bills.
Next City Council meeting: The forwarded bills are scheduled for another council vote.
Market Context
Allentown's proposal links affordability conditions to projects that receive LERTA tax abatements, a Pennsylvania tool that cities have used to encourage development. Under the proposal, developers receiving that tax relief would also have to include moderate-income units in covered buildings.
Renters in Allentown could see new multifamily buildings include moderate-income units if the bill passes. Landlords with repeat substantiated code violations could face a $125 fee for each additional inspection under the proposed amendment.
The takeaway
Renters and property owners in Allentown should watch the next council meeting, since the workforce housing and inspection fee proposals could change new apartment requirements and rental maintenance costs.
What happens next
The council is scheduled to take up the forwarded workforce housing and inspection fee bills at its next meeting.
Further reading
For more on rental options, see Apartments coverage for Allentown.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WFMZ.
Live Poll
Should Allentown require new large apartment projects to include moderate-income affordable units?
