ALLENTOWN, Pa. – It’s almost moving day for a large homeless community near the Jordan Creek in Allentown.
Homeless advocate William Delgado is hopeful.
“We’re getting some resources. I mean, you know, it’s panning out,” said Delgado.
That’s a big change since last week, when this homeless encampment by the Jordan River in Allentown was told they had to vacate due to flooding concerns.
Approximately 100 people have until Aug. 25 to take their belongings and go.
Delgado says many here aren’t waiting and are busy trying to hook up with resources to relocate.
“Just hope everything comes together,” said Jennifer McGuire.
McGuire gets a disability check, but says it’s not enough to get her own place, so she hoping to get into a housing program.
But she says getting into the system takes time, possibly more time than she has.
“I can tell you, like, nine families have gotten housing down here. Some of them went to rehab. Okay, that’s good, so some of them are going to rehab,” said Delgado.
One of those going to rehab is Darryl Buffenmyer, who has shared his battle with addiction on 69 News in the past.
“By Friday, I’m gonna be in somewhere,” said Buffenmyer.
Since the relocation news hit, community homeless resources like the Allentown Rescue Mission have been preparing for an influx of those needing help.
“Right now, we have 43 beds that are in emergency shelter available. And if that’s not enough, we can put cots in the hallways,” said Allentown Rescue Mission CEO Skip Smith.
Smith says while the Rescue Mission only accepts men, they are ready to refer women and families to nearby resources.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk says he has asked the YMCA to open its warming center early to accommodate some of the influx, YMCA officials say they are evaluating what it would take to do that.
The Jordan Creek relocation is an issue that has caught the eye of Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, who toured the camp with the Allentown Fire Department.
Tuesday, just one day after President Trump announced plans to move the homeless out of Washington D.C., Mackenzie visited the Rescue Mission to address the issues of poverty and homelessness.
“I think we have a very strong network of human services organizations here in the Lehigh Valley. And so knowing what is already successful and what is already working is really helpful, because then we don’t have to actually be reinventing the wheel,” said Mackenzie.
This all comes a day after developer Nat Hyman, who is suing the city over this encampment, saying it brought crime and trash to his apartment building, was granted an appeal to expand that complex near Jordan Creek.
Anyone who wants to help the people living along the Jordan Creek relocate can do so this weekend.
Anyone with a truck, a van, or just the need to help can go down to the creek past Green and Meadow at 10 a.m. Saturday.