One of the wealthiest counties in Pennsylvania says it’s finally close to ending homelessness
Since 2011, Chester County has been pouring time and money into reaching a lofty goal: ending homelessness within 10 years. “I’ve never seen the momentum we have now,” one advocate said as the deadline looms.
After a relationship ended three years ago, Michael Thomas had to move out. He found himself homeless for the first time in his life.
By The Philadelphia Inquirer
Since 2011, Chester County has been pouring time and money into reaching a lofty goal: ending homelessness within 10 years. “I’ve never seen the momentum we have now,” one advocate said as the deadline looms.
After a relationship ended three years ago, Michael Thomas had to move out. He found himself homeless for the first time in his life.
Coordinated Entry System Update
The Chester County Department of Community Development is pleased to announce an update to the county's Coordinated Entry System. Beginning on December 12, 2019, there will be separate Call Center and Street Outreach services available to residents experiencing homelessness.
The Chester County Department of Community Development is pleased to announce an update to the county's Coordinated Entry System. Beginning on December 12, 2019, there will be separate Call Center and Street Outreach services available to residents experiencing homelessness.
This change is an important enhancement to the success of the Decade to Doorways initiative to end homelessness in Chester County. Call Center services will be administered by Pennsylvania's 211 system via a contract with the United Way of Chester County. 211 services will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Human Services Inc. will provide full-time Street Outreach specialists to engage and verify individuals and families that are street homeless, while assisting them with access to shelter.
Public Awareness Campaign Kick-off!
Decade to Doorways and Chester County recognized the tireless efforts and significant progress of the Decade to Doorways partnership of local agencies, businesses, faith communities, and neighbors in ending homelessness in Chester County by 2022.
Decade to Doorways and Chester County recognized the tireless efforts and significant progress of the Decade to Doorways partnership of local agencies, businesses, faith communities, and neighbors in ending homelessness in Chester County by 2022.
Decade to Doorways announced the new public awareness campaign to showcase the behind the scenes active compassion and unwavering support that the partnership provides to our community on a daily basis.
January 2019 Point in Time Count Report finds lower number of people experiencing homelessness in Chester County
A report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Decade to Doorways Partnership has found that 517 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Chester County in the early hours of January 24, 2019. This represents a decrease of 24 percent over four years in the number of people experiencing homelessness. A summary of the findings were reported by Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development at the Chester County Commissioners’ Sunshine Meeting this week.
EDITORS: The following is for immediate release. For further information please contact Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development at 610-344-6959.
2019 official count reveals decrease of 24 percent in homeless numbers over past four years
WEST CHESTER, PA. A report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Decade to Doorways Partnership has found that 517 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Chester County in the early hours of January 24, 2019. This represents a decrease of 24 percent over four years in the number of people experiencing homelessness. A summary of the findings were reported by Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development at the Chester County Commissioners’ Sunshine Meeting this week.
The Point in Time Count is a national effort mandated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness. This includes individuals and families who are residing in emergency shelters and transitional living facilities, as well as unsheltered individuals on the street or in places not meant for sleeping.
Within Chester County, the Point in Time Count is one component of understanding homelessness, and is part of Decade to Doorways: The Community’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Chester County. The County has participated in the Point-in-Time Count for more than ten years.
Of the 517 individuals experiencing homelessness in the early hours of January 24, 2019, 497 men, women, and children were housed in emergency or transitional shelters. Of the 497 that were housed, 201 were veterans. The street count found 20 individuals who were unsheltered (sleeping in cars, tents or places not meant for human habitation). A majority of these individuals were found in Kennett Square.
Chester County’s 2019 Point in Time Count shows a decrease in those experiencing homelessness for four consecutive years. In 2016, 682 individuals were counted; in 2017 the number was 570; and in 2018 the number dropped to 555.
Pat Bokovitz, Director of Chester County’s Department of Community Development, said, “The downward trend that Chester County is seeing for those who are experiencing homelessness can be attributed to a combination of factors, all coming together because of the Decade to Doorways initiative.
“We are bringing together the work of our coordinated homeless service providers, the increase in permanent supportive housing resources, and the targeting of resources to support the most vulnerable. These efforts are bringing us even closer to Chester County’s goal of ending homelessness.”
In addition to the presentation of this year’s Point in Time Count Report findings, an April 2nd Decade to Doorways event will kick-off the program’s public awareness campaign. With the mission to end homelessness in Chester County by 2022, Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell will provide an inspiring update on Decade to Doorways’ collective accomplishments. The public is encouraged to attend the event at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High Street in West Chester. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the presentation begins at 5:30 p.m.
For additional information on Chester County’s 2019 Point in Time Count, the Decade to Doorways Partnership and homelessness in Chester County contact Gene Suski, Community Services Manager for the Chester County Department of Community Development at 610-344-6900 or go to the Decade to Doorways website at www.decadetodoorways.org.
El informe de conteo de enero del 2019 encuentra un menor número de personas sin hogar en el condado de Chester
Un informe compilado por el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester (DCD) y la Asociación Decade to Doorways encontró que 517 personas fueron identificadas como personas sin hogar en el condado de Chester en las primeras horas del 24 del enero de 2019. Esto representa una disminución del 24 por ciento en cuatro años en el número de personas sin hogar. Pat Bokovitz, Director del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester, informó un resumen de los hallazgos en la Reunión Sunshine de los Comisionados del Condado de Chester esta semana.
EDITORES: Lo siguiente es para publicación inmediata. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Pat Bokovitz, Director del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester al 610-344-6959.
El informe de conteo de enero de 2019 encuentra un menor número de personas sin hogar en el condado de Chester
El recuento oficial del 2019 revela una disminución del 24 por ciento en el número de personas sin hogar en los últimos cuatro años
WEST CHESTER, PA. Un informe compilado por el Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester (DCD) y la Asociación Decade to Doorways encontró que 517 personas fueron identificadas como personas sin hogar en el condado de Chester en las primeras horas del 24 del enero de 2019. Esto representa una disminución del 24 por ciento en cuatro años en el número de personas sin hogar. Pat Bokovitz, Director del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester, informó un resumen de los hallazgos en la Reunión Sunshine de los Comisionados del Condado de Chester esta semana.
El recuento temporal es un esfuerzo nacional ordenado por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos para determinar el número de personas sin hogar. Esto incluye a personas y familias que residen en refugios de emergencia e instalaciones de vivienda de transición, así como a personas sin refugio en la calle o en lugares no destinados a dormir.
Dentro del condado de Chester, el recuento es un componente para comprender la falta de vivienda y es parte de Decade to Doorways: el plan de la comunidad para prevenir y acabar con la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester. El condado ha participado en el conteo en un momento determinado durante más de diez años.
De las 517 personas que se quedaron sin hogar en las primeras horas del 24 de enero del 2019, 497 hombres, mujeres y niños fueron alojados en refugios de emergencia o de transición. De los 497 que se alojaron, 201 eran veteranos. El recuento de calles encontró 20 personas que no estaban protegidas (durmiendo en automóviles, tiendas de campaña o lugares no destinados a la habitación humana). La mayoría de estas personas se encontraron en Kennett Square.
El recuento puntual del 2019 del condado de Chester muestra una disminución en las personas sin hogar durante cuatro años consecutivos. En el 2016, se contaron 682 personas; en el 2017 la cifra fue de 570; y en 2018 el número se redujo a 555.
Pat Bokovitz, Director del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de Chester, dijo: “La tendencia a la baja que el Condado de Chester está viendo para aquellos que están experimentando la falta de vivienda puede atribuirse a una combinación de factores, todos juntos debido a la iniciativa Decade to Doorways.
“Estamos reuniendo el trabajo de nuestros proveedores de servicios coordinados para personas sin hogar, el aumento de los recursos de vivienda de apoyo permanente y la focalización de recursos para apoyar a los más vulnerables. Estos esfuerzos nos acercan aún más al objetivo del condado de Chester de acabar con la falta de vivienda ".
Además de la presentación de los hallazgos del Informe de recuento de este año, un evento del 2 de abril Decade to Doorways dará inicio a la campaña de concientización pública del programa. Con la misión de acabar con la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester para el 2022, los comisionados Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone y Terence Farrell proporcionarán una actualización inspiradora sobre los logros colectivos de Decade to Doorways. ¡Se anima al público a asistir al evento en Uptown! Centro de artes escénicas Knauer, 226 N. High Street en West Chester. Las puertas se abren a las 4:30 p.m. y la presentación comienza a las 5:30 p.m.
Para obtener información adicional sobre el recuento del condado de Chester del 2019, la asociación Decade to Doorways y la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester, comuníquese con Gene Suski, gerente de servicios comunitarios del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del condado de Chester al 610-344-6900 o vaya al Decade to Doorways sitio web en www.decadetodoorways.com.
Humanizing the Homeless of Chester County Raises Awareness of Important Issue
According to the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD), 570 people experience homelessness in Chester County on any given night.
With a goal of ensuring the development of safe, affordable, and permanent housing along with other social services for those without homes, the DCD developed the Decade to Doorways initiative in 2012.
By Vista.Today
According to the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD), 570 people experience homelessness in Chester County on any given night.
With a goal of ensuring the development of safe, affordable, and permanent housing along with other social services for those without homes, the DCD developed the Decade to Doorways initiative in 2012.
Initiative aims to raise awareness of homeless
Despite pervasive affluence, more than a thousand people in Chester County sought emergency shelter last year, and more than half of them, including families with children, had to be turned away.
Such somber statistics formed the basis for an activity that will mark the local observance of National Hunger and Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19. Decade to Doorways, the county’s 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness, is looking for volunteers to spread awareness of the problem on Thursday, Nov. 17.
By ChaddsFordLive
Despite pervasive affluence, more than a thousand people in Chester County sought emergency shelter last year, and more than half of them, including families with children, had to be turned away.
Such somber statistics formed the basis for an activity that will mark the local observance of National Hunger and Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19. Decade to Doorways, the county’s 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness, is looking for volunteers to spread awareness of the problem on Thursday, Nov. 17.
Chesco makes change to homeless program
In stark contrast to the affluent around them, more than 600 people, many of them children, experience homelessness on any given night, according to Chester County officials.
Even more troubling is the fact that during the past year, 51 percent of the people who called ConnectPoints, a county hotline designed to connect them to emergency shelter and other resources, had to be turned away because beds weren’t available.
By ChaddsFordLive
In stark contrast to the affluent around them, more than 600 people, many of them children, experience homelessness on any given night, according to Chester County officials.
Even more troubling is the fact that during the past year, 51 percent of the people who called ConnectPoints, a county hotline designed to connect them to emergency shelter and other resources, had to be turned away because beds weren’t available.
Chesco seeking public’s aid to find homeless
Days after this past January’s blizzard, teams of volunteers fulfilled a federal mandate by canvassing affluent Chester County in search of residents who typically operate below the radar: the homeless.
The initiative, called the Point in Time (PIT) Count, found that 682 people lacked permanent shelter on the evening of Jan. 27 into the early morning of Jan. 28, according to a report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development. The count, mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps to determine the extent of homelessness throughout the country.
By ChaddsFordLive
Days after this past January’s blizzard, teams of volunteers fulfilled a federal mandate by canvassing affluent Chester County in search of residents who typically operate below the radar: the homeless.
The initiative, called the Point in Time (PIT) Count, found that 682 people lacked permanent shelter on the evening of Jan. 27 into the early morning of Jan. 28, according to a report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development. The count, mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps to determine the extent of homelessness throughout the country.
Working to give the homeless shelter, faces
Days after the January blizzard, teams of volunteers spread out across affluent Chester County, searching for residents who often operate below the radar: the homeless.
The effort, part of a national initiative called the Point in Time Count, found that 682 people lacked permanent shelter on the evening of Jan. 27 into the early morning of Jan. 28, according to a report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development.
By ChaddsFordLive
Days after the January blizzard, teams of volunteers spread out across affluent Chester County, searching for residents who often operate below the radar: the homeless.
The effort, part of a national initiative called the Point in Time Count, found that 682 people lacked permanent shelter on the evening of Jan. 27 into the early morning of Jan. 28, according to a report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development.
Actor, county focus on plight of homeless
Chester County can add Hollywood actor Richard Gere to the growing list of people assisting with Decade to Doorways, its ambitious 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness in the county – even if Gere’s contribution was inadvertent.
A free screening of his provocative 2015 film, “Time Out of Mind,” at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on Wednesday, March 10, served as a springboard for calling attention to the problem of homelessness. It attracted an audience of several hundred.
By ChaddsFordLive
Chester County can add Hollywood actor Richard Gere to the growing list of people assisting with Decade to Doorways, its ambitious 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness in the county – even if Gere’s contribution was inadvertent.
A free screening of his provocative 2015 film, “Time Out of Mind,” at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on Wednesday, March 10, served as a springboard for calling attention to the problem of homelessness. It attracted an audience of several hundred.