Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Chester County
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week occurs every year the week before Thanksgiving and serves as a time to reflect on two interconnected challenges facing communities across the U.S., including in Chester County: hunger and homelessness. This year, the week occurs Nov. 17-23. As living costs rise, many individuals in Chester County face housing and food insecurity. Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness (CCPEH) aims to use a housing-first lens to make strides toward long-term stability for the residents of Chester County.
Hunger, Homelessness and the Housing-First Approach
Hunger and homelessness are deeply connected. According to the Urban Institute, food insecurity rates have been rising since 2022, and 52.2% of lower-income households (those below 200% of the federal poverty level) report food insecurity, up from previous years. Individuals experiencing homelessness often fall into this low-income household category.
The housing-first approach suggests that securing stable housing should be the primary goal when addressing hunger. Once individuals have stable housing, this becomes a foundation for addressing other challenges. With permanent shelter, individuals and families can more easily access community resources, job opportunities and social services that help combat food insecurity.
The State of Homelessness in Chester County
Thanks to the work of our network of partners, Chester County continues to see a steady decrease in the number of people entering participating emergency shelters in our community over the past five years, from 1,259 in 2019 to 741 in 2023 (a 41% decrease). In addition, the County has seen a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time, from 694 in 2022 to 529 in 2023 (a 24% decrease). Read more about the state of homelessness in our county in our Chester County 2024 Continuum of Care System Performance Data Report or the 2024 Point-in-Time Count.
However, there is still work to be done to eliminate homelessness in our community and inequities are still apparent – 11% of people experiencing homelessness have been identified as potentially chronically homeless, and people of color make up 62% of those experiencing homelessness in our community.
National Overview of Hunger and Housing Solutions
The challenges of hunger and homelessness are not limited to Chester County — they are part of a nationwide crisis. According to the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) 2024 Report by United Way, 41% of households in Pennsylvania were below the ALICE threshold in 2022. These households earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still struggle to meet basic living costs, often having to make impossible choices like paying rent or buying food. Rising costs and reduced pandemic assistance have made it more difficult for families to keep up with essential expenses.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) Out of Reach 2024 Report also underscores the gap between wages and the cost of basic housing across the country, highlighting that renters with low incomes are finding it increasingly challenging to afford even modest rental homes. For example, in Chester County, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,737 per month. To afford this without spending more than 30% of their income, a household would need to earn approximately $33.40 per hour — much higher than the minimum wage. Exploring the report reveals that this challenge is mirrored in many communities nationwide.
The ALICE and NLIHC data demonstrate that the housing-first model is crucial for overcoming food insecurity nationwide, and affordable housing is a necessary first step toward security in all other aspects of an individual’s life. Stable housing not only provides shelter but also a foundation for families to achieve greater financial stability, access education, maintain employment, and address other critical needs.
How You Can Help
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a meaningful time to take action to help those in need. CCPEH plays a vital role in addressing both hunger and homelessness. By prioritizing permanent housing and providing essential services, CCPEH helps residents move from temporary shelters to stable homes. Our housing-first model ensures that individuals have the support they need to remain housed long-term. The data continues to show that housing-first works in helping individuals and families remain housed. 91% of people who exited from a program to permanent housing did not return to homelessness two years later. Of those individuals who were enrolled in permanent housing programs, 97% remained in permanent supportive housing or exited to permanent housing.
Community donations are critical to maintaining these programs and ensuring they continue to support those most vulnerable. Whether by donating, volunteering, or raising awareness, every contribution helps. This Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, consider supporting the CCPEH Partnership fund. Contributions go directly toward programs that provide stable housing, food security and a brighter future for those in need.