The Lehigh County Commissioners voted Sept. 25 to repeal a grant that would have provided $750,000 in government funding for affordable housing in the Cumberland Gardens development in South Allentown.

The commissioners had previously voted to provide financing for the housing project.

The project would have required $225,000 per unit to refurbish the existing units.

"Certainly, a quarter of a million dollars can be put to better use," co-sponsor Commissioner Scott Ott said.

Commissioner Thomas Creighton III, primary sponsor of the ordinance to repeal the grant, said the money, if used in a different way, would benefit more people.

Commissioner Michael Schware lent his support for repealing the ordinance.

"To me, it comes down to costs," he said, adding, "$225,000 per unit is just wrong. I think we can do better than this."

Speaking on behalf of those who would be affected by the commissioners' decision – the poor and mentally disabled – Alan Jennings, executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley and board member of the Allentown Housing Authority, said he would ask the housing authority to begin the process of filing a federal lawsuit the next day if the commissioners voted to repeal the bill.

Jennings argued by repealing the ordinance, the board would be denying affordable housing opportunities to the most vulnerable in the Lehigh Valley.

"I am not threatening," Jennings said. "I think it's very important you as stewards take very serious your role as stewards."

Commissioner Vic Mazziotti told Jennings the commissioners' intent is not to deny anyone access to fair housing.

"I say bring the lawsuit on," Mazziotti said.

David Gilgoff, director of the Lehigh County Department of Human Services, spoke in favor of using the funds to build six units. Gilgoff argued the mentally ill would benefit from the funds as they are a separate and unique class of persons who need special living arrangements and more sensitive landlords.

Commissioner Brad Osborne moved to defer the vote so the board could acquire more information and engage in additional discussions.

"Give us a chance to identify and discourse to arrive at a better decision," he said. His motion failed to pass 5-4.

Coplay Borough Councilman Bill Leiner Jr., who is a candidate on the November ballot for a seat on the board of commissioners, said he finds it unusual the board would cast a vote on an item without having all the information available to it.

"It doesn't feel like good government," Leiner said.

The commissioners voted 5-4 to repeal the bill. Voting in opposition were McCarthy, Osborne and commissioners Percy Dougherty and David Jones Sr. Jones said it would have been a wise decision on the part of the body to vote to defer the matter.

County Executive Matt Croslis said he would have been more concerned if the commissioners voted to defer action.