ICYMI: June Partnership Highlights
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June was a milestone month in Chester County's efforts to end and prevent homelessness.
On June 2, 2026, the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness hosted the third annual State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County. More than 150 community members, service providers, advocates, and residents attended the event in person and virtually to learn about current housing and homelessness trends and the collaborative efforts underway across the county.
During the event, Chester County announced it had achieved functional zero for chronic homelessness and shared a first look at the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, both highlighting meaningful reductions in homelessness.
These milestones reflect the dedication of organizations participating in case conferencing, along with the ongoing commitment of CCPEH Housing Solution and Organization Partners.
🎉Big news from Chester County: chronic homelessness has been made rare and brief.
This milestone reflects years of work by cross the community, particularly among dedicated partners who regularly participate in Case Conferencing meetings - led by Open Hearth Inc., including Chester County Government departments, Emergency shelter providers, and a wide network of case management, housing, financial, and treatment providers.
Together, we built a system that knows every person experiencing chronic homelessness by name, connects them to housing and supports, and tracks outcomes in real time.
Today, Chester County marks the functional zero milestone for chronic homelessness. Progress is possible. This work is proof.
Chester County has made chronic homelessness rare and brief, and proven it can stay that way.
Through years of coordination, real-time data, and a commitment to knowing every person experiencing homelessness by name, our community has built a system that houses people faster than new cases arise. That’s the functional zero milestone. That’s real progress.
This milestone represents real people, real coordination, and real progress toward making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Chester County celebrates an important milestone: chronic homelessness has been made rare and brief.
✨ Over years of coordinated work, we’ve built a system that knows every person experiencing chronic homelessness by name and can connect people to housing and support more quickly and effectively. That’s the functional zero milestone. And it means fewer people experiencing long-term homelessness and stronger outcomes for everyone.
This image shows Chris, who experienced chronic homelessness, alongside the team supporting his housing journey: (left to right) Monica from Human Services, Inc., Chris, Sean from Brandywine Valley Active Aging, and Carla from Open Hearth, Inc..
This achievement was made possible through the coordinated efforts of a strong network of community partners, especially those consistently participating in case conferencing and collaborative outreach efforts.
For years, communities across the country have asked whether chronic homelessness can truly be rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Chester County is proving it can.
Through real-time data, strong partnerships, and coordinated housing strategies, we’ve made chronic homelessness rare and brief for some of our most vulnerable residents, reaching the functional zero milestone in the process. This is what progress looks like. And it's worth celebrating. 🎉
Homelessness is down 30% from last year in Chester County.
This progress didn’t happen by accident. In our community, it’s the result of moving with urgency, working together across systems, and staying accountable to results. We’re seeing what’s possible when coordination works.
We know this work isn’t finished. Sustaining and building on this progress takes continued commitment and investment in the approach that’s working. And that’s exactly what we’re focused on.
Chester County's 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Report is out now!
In Chester County, we are committed to understanding homelessness in real time.
That means we maintain a by-name list so we know who is experiencing homelessness, what they need, and how to respond quickly and effectively.
⭐ This kind of data helps us make better decisions, prioritize resources, and ensure no one falls through the cracks. We’re seeing a clearer, more complete picture—and that clarity is what makes real progress possible.
More communities are moving toward this approach because it works. Real-time, by-name data helps us respond faster, use resources more effectively, and stay accountable to results. And that’s how we continue making meaningful progress.
In Chester County, unsheltered homelessness is down by 46%. 📉
That reflects real work: outreach workers who know people by name, better coordination across systems, and faster housing placements.
National data backs up what we are seeing locally. A new Community Solutions analysis finds homelessness in the U.S. may be stabilizing after years of sharp increases, with unsheltered homelessness down about 3 percent across 170 communities.
Strong families. Thriving children. A Chester County where the next generation can afford to stay and put down roots.
🏠 Home is the first step to get us there.
Housing stability connects to education, health, and opportunity.
There are dedicated partners leading the work to make it possible for more neighbors. 🔑 Explore our Housing Solutions Partner page to meet the organizations creating change and find ways to get involved.
This summer, join a growing community working toward housing stability in Chester County.
28 Housing Solutions Partners. 24 Organizational Partners. 500+ Individual Partners. 🏘️🤝
Why? Because we know what works to prevent and end homelessness.
The 2026 Point-in-Time* and System Performance** reports show:
46% decrease in unsheltered homelessness*
30% decrease in overall homelessness*
10% decrease in first-time homelessness**
Ending homelessness takes all of us.
Functional Zero wasn't achieved by one organization—it was achieved by a community.
💙 We're sharing reflections from Kelly Raggazino, CEO of Open Hearth, Inc., and Cory Lovera, Housing & Community Resource Manager at Open Hearth, Inc.
Their words highlight the power of partnership, shared purpose, and the belief that homelessness can be made rare, brief, and non-recurring when a community works together.
Resources
The Health Impacts of Housing Instability and Homelessness, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
2025 National Renter Survey, National Low Income Housing Coalition