ICYMI: January Partnership Highlights
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January was a month of progress and community milestones!
We were excited to celebrate with Friends Association at the ribbon cutting of their new family shelter on January 26th and to carry out the 2026 Point-in-Time Count for Chester County on January 28th, helping us better understand and address homelessness in our community.
Keep reading for more updates you won’t want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check our events page often.
What matters most to you?
This year, we want to make sure we are providing the resources and education you need on ending homelessness in Chester County.
📲 Stay connected:
Instagram: @EndHomelessnessChesco
Facebook: @ChescoPartnership
✉️ Have ideas or questions? Email us at ccpteh@chesco.org. We want to hear from you!
Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with support services for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
In Chester County, it provides lasting stability for over 60 households and 150 individuals.
💡Permanent supportive housing is a cost-effective solution, shown to lower public costs associated with the use of crisis services, increase housing stability and improve health.
Do you know your rights as a renter?
During Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Partnership, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, and Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania hosted two virtual Renters’ Rights events.
🎥 Recordings and slides are now available in English and Spanish.
English: endhomelessnesschesco.org/resources/2025/11/25/know-your-rights-as-a-renter
Spanish: endhomelessnesschesco.org/resources/2025/11/25/know-your-rights-as-a-renter-nbjmt
💬 What renter questions would you like us to cover next?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion for justice and equality
In Chicago, Dr. King led the Chicago Freedom Movement, fighting against housing discrimination and segregation. His efforts helped bring national attention to unfair housing practices and paved the way for the Fair Housing Act of 1968, a landmark step toward equal access to housing for all.
🏘️ We remember his vision: a community where everyone has the right to a safe, affordable home.
For Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity resources in Chester County, please visit www.chesco.org/3725/Fair-Housing-Equal-Opportunity
Nearly 1 in 2 Chester County Residents experience housing cost burden
For many cost burdened renters, this could mean tough decisions between choosing between paying rent, medical care, or buying healthy food.
During Poverty in America Awareness Month, we recognize how housing affordability impacts stability in Chester County.
👉 Need help? Visit endhomelessnesschesco.org/get-help
Leadership with experience matters
🌟 Leadership with lived experience matters.
Rob Henry, Partnership Administrator, along with Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) Co-Chairs Lynnee Wilson-Smith and Cheryl Sabb, presented at the Housing Alliance of PA Homes Within Reach Conference on Formalizing Engagement of People with Lived Expertise.
👏 Their presentation showcased LEAB projects, lessons learned, successes, and reinforced the impact LEAB members continue to have in the community.
Emergency shelters play a critical role in ending homelessness.
Effective shelters should embrace a Housing First approach, offer immediate and low-barrier access to anyone facing a housing crisis, and measure shelter performance in order to improve results. The Emergency Shelter Learning Series is a collection of webinars and resources from the Alliance focused on explaining the philosophy and practice of effective emergency shelter.
Emergency shelters play a critical role in ending homelessness and are especially important in bitter cold conditions.
Below, you will find Guidance on Effective Shelter Expectations from the Emergency Shelter Learning Series by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.