ICYMI: September Partnership Highlights
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This September, our message reached more people than ever.
A few shares turned into a big moment for the Partnership, with one Facebook post reaching more than 64,000 views and bringing in over 100 new followers. It’s a reminder that housing affordability is a message that resonates here in Chester County, and that one person sharing a post can help bring an important conversation to thousands more. We hope to keep that momentum going through the rest of the year!
As we look ahead, the Partnership is preparing for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. We’ll be sharing events and opportunities to get involved, and we hope you’ll join us as we come together to support a Chester County where everyone has a place to call home.
When it takes $48.27/hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental in parts of Chester County, it isn't just a challenge for minimum wage workers. It's a challenge for single parents, recent college graduates starting their careers, nonprofit employees, and many of the people who keep our communities running.
For reference, the national Housing Wage for a modest two-bedroom rental home is $34.73/hour, while Pennsylvania's statewide Housing Wage is $28.87/hour. A Housing Wage is an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a rental home without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
When housing costs consume more than 30% of a household's income, little remains for life’s other necessities like food, childcare, transportation, or healthcare.
This is why expanding access to affordable housing is a key focus of the Partnership's advocacy agenda. Stable, affordable housing strengthens individuals, families, and our entire community. Learn more at endhomelessnesschesco.org/affordable-housing-advocacy
This Labor Day, we recognized the workers who keep our communities running and the importance of ensuring that a hard day of work can provide a stable place to call home.
In Pennsylvania, 19 of the 30 most common occupations pay below the Housing Wage for a one-bedroom rental home, and 21 pay below the Housing Wage for a two-bedroom rental home.
No one working full-time should struggle to afford a safe, stable home. As we celebrate workers today, we must continue working toward a future where housing is within reach for everyone. 🏠
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. 💜
People experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness, may face significant mental health challenges and crises in public spaces. When someone is in crisis, a trained, compassionate response matters.
988 offers a safe alternative. For direct support in the community, ask the crisis call taker to dispatch a Mobile Crisis Resolution Team. These teams of caring, trained counselors will meet individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis any time. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout Chester County.
If you encounter someone in crisis, or are experiencing a crisis yourself, call or text 988. You are not alone.
Learn more about mental health emergency resources in Chester County at www.chesco.org/1640/Emergency
When you’re helping a neighbor, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
🏠 Dial 211 to reach the Human Needs Network of Chester County and get referrals to local resources for housing, food, utilities, health care, and other basic needs.
🧠Dial 988 for 24/7 trained, caring support during a mental health or suicidal crisis. Mobile Crisis Resolution Teams may also provide in-person support when needed.
🚨Dial 911 during an immediate emergency involving a threat to life or physical safety.
The right help may be just three numbers away. 📱 Learn more about 211 and 988 in Chester County at www.chesco.org/5529/Human-Needs-Network
Ending homelessness requires more than recognizing the problem... it requires communities to invest in and practice solutions.
At the end of September, the Partnership is hosted an Advanced Diversion Training for frontline staff across Chester County. Diversion is a problem-solving approach that helps people experiencing a housing crisis identify safe, immediate alternatives to entering the homeless crisis response system.
By building the knowledge and skills of those working directly with our community, Chester County is strengthening its capacity to make population-level progress toward ending homelessness for all.
Learn more about diversion through Community Solutions' blog, “What Is Diversion?” at community.solutions/what-is-diversion/
Allies for Housing in Chester County hosted its 5th Annual Housing Summit, Getting to “Yes”, on August 18.
The summit brought together community members and housing advocates around a shared goal: increasing housing inventory through networking, education, and advocacy. Rob Henry (pictured second from the left) attended on behalf of the Partnership.
Creating more housing opportunities takes collaboration and gatherings like this help move the conversation toward solutions. 🏠
For more community events, check out our Events page at endhomelessnesschesco.org/events