The Redevelopment Authority works closely with the City of Allentown's Bureau of Building Standards and Safety Department to address blighted properties within the city limits. After a multi-step certification process, as per the Urban Redevelopment Law 1712, the Redevelopment Authority has the jurisdiction to acquire Certified Blighted properties through the eminent domain process to assist with the elimination of blight. Once acquired, the Authority can start the transformation of the properties back to code compliance and in the end, bring to the community viable housing.

The properties acquired by the Redevelopment Authority, whether thru the eminent domain process, amicable purchase or donation are severely dilapidated and require extensive improvement as well as a substantial monetary investment well over the value of the properties in order to bring the property back. The Redevelopment Authority is funded primarily through State and Federal grant programs, i.e. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Redevelopment Authority is now also responsible for the management of the City of Allentown's "Abandoned Real Property" Ordinance No. 15026 which requires the registration and maintenance of abandoned, foreclosed or distressed real property within the City in order to address safety and aesthetic concerns. The management of this ordinance goes hand in hand with the blight process and is another way the Redevelopment Authority can proactively address the deterioration and blight issues caused by the increasing number of abandoned, foreclosed or distressed properties. This is all in an effort to protect neighborhoods from decay and is in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens and residents of the City of Allentown.

The Redevelopment Authority's purpose is to focus on areas that are problematic and in need of rehabilitation which in turn creates a pipeline of properties for local community development corporations and First-Time Homebuyer programs like the City's Homesteading Program. Also, with the redevelopment of key parcels and assisting with direction to the City's overall housing and neighborhood revitalization plan this will help maintain the City's housing needs. The redevelopment of these areas is not only about building projects, it's about building a community for the people.