Allentown to use federal ARPA money to reduce homelessness

In addition to a permanent year-round homeless shelter, Allentown council could prioritize securing permanent, stable, and affordable housing.

A plan isn’t final, but there is a recommendation to augment the affordable housing stock in general.

The city is holding public meetings for input.   

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How does PA’s tax revenue compare with other states?

Personal income taxes comprise 32.2 percent of Pennsylvania’s tax dollars, while sales taxes comprise 27 percent and property taxes comprise .01 percent.

About half of states’ government revenue consists of taxes, and personal income taxes are the biggest contributors in 33 of 41 states that impose them.

Other taxes are big contributors as well, such as severance taxes in Alaska and North Dakota and corporate taxes in New Hampshire. 

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PA nearing pre-pandemic worker employment

Pennsylvania is only 1.8 percent away from pre-pandemic employment levels.

That means nearly everyone of prime working age that was employed pre pandemic is back to work.

This puts the state at the higher end of the U.S. spectrum, yet employers are still struggling to fill open positions. 

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Communities end homelessness with tiny homes

Many communities are attempting to end homelessness, but funding, lack of affordable housing, and other barriers affect the process.

Some neighborhoods are considering tiny homes (consisting of 100 to 400 square feet) as options.

Successful tiny home initiatives offer wraparound services and eliminate the fear of congregate living found in typical shelters. 

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Produce prescriptions can improve chronic disease outcomes 

The National Produce Prescription Collaborative estimates that there are 108 PPRs operating in 38 states.

Many Produce Prescription projects (PPRs) are funded with private dollars, and the approaches vary.

Prescriptions are written for weekly bags of produce for low-income participants who have any one of a number of cardio-metabolic or behavioral conditions; the prescriptions are filled for free and delivered depending on the participating grocery store or farm. 

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Privacy commissions emerge with rise of surveillance technology

Now that more communities are using technology, municipalities can benefit from Privacy Advisory Commissions to safeguard residents’ privacy when acquiring or using tools that collect data.

Such efforts could benefit cities with surveillance equipment in streetlights, etc.

Oakland has a volunteer commission of citizens, and San Diego, Dallas, and Seattle have all established commissions. 

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