News & Resources
Chester County 2023 Point-in-Time Count
On the evening of Wednesday, January 25 and early hours of Thursday, January 26, 2023 the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) facilitated the annual Point-in-Time Count. The purpose of this initiative is to determine the number of people currently experiencing homelessness on a given night, to better understand homelessness in Chester County and across the nation, and to support the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Homelessness in Chester County at one point in time.
On the evening of Wednesday, January 25 and early hours of Thursday, January 26, 2023 the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) facilitated the annual Point-in-Time Count.* The purpose of this initiative is to determine the number of people currently experiencing homelessness on a given night, to better understand homelessness in Chester County and across the nation, and to support the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
436 people were experiencing homelessness in Chester County on January 25, 2023
Homelessness Over the Last 5 Years**
Race
Ethnicity
33% (or 144) individuals identify as female
37% (or 163) individuals in families with children
25% (or 109) children under age 18
35% (or 141) individuals in interim housing identify as veterans***
10% (or 42) individuals were identified as chronically homeless
29 people were sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground.
Unsheltered Homelessness By Location
Coatesville: 5 individuals
Downingtown/Thorndale: 3 individuals
Kennett Square: 3 individuals
Malvern/Paoli/Exton: 2 individuals
Oxford: 5 individuals
Parkesburg/Atglen/Honey Brook: 4 individuals
Phoenixville: 2 individuals
West Chester: 5 individuals
Total Individuals, 29
407 people were living in a public or private temporary shelter, including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels.
Sheltered Homelessness by Type and Household
One county. One commitment. One vision to see our community housed.
Learn more about ending homelessness in Chester County.
Take action and connect with us on Facebook @ChescoPartnership
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* This is a national effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and data from the count is included in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), which is presented to Congress.
** In 2021, Chester County did not conduct a comprehensive Point-in-Time Count due to COVID-19.
*** Veteran status of unsheltered individuals is unknown.
Eviction Lab: Eviction Tracking for Pennsylvania
Eviction Lab presents the latest on eviction data in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes
Each year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) measures the availability of rental housing affordable to extremely low-income households and other income groups. Based on the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS), The Gap presents data on the affordable housing supply and housing cost burdens at the national, state, and metropolitan levels. The report also examines the demographics, disability and work status, and other characteristics of extremely low-income households most impacted by the national shortage of affordable and available rental homes.
Each year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) measures the availability of rental housing affordable to extremely low-income households and other income groups. Based on the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (ACS PUMS), The Gap presents data on the affordable housing supply and housing cost burdens at the national, state, and metropolitan levels. The report also examines the demographics, disability and work status, and other characteristics of extremely low-income households most impacted by the national shortage of affordable and available rental homes.
Chester County 2023 Coordinated Entry System Efficacy
Coordinated entry supports fair, equitable, and rapid access to housing assistance and stability services. All services in the coordinated entry system are tracked through the Chester County Homeless Management Information System to help generate data that informs system improvement. Each year, we evaluate this data looking for markers of success and areas for improvement.
What is Coordinated Entry?
Coordinated entry supports fair, equitable, and rapid access to housing assistance and stability services. All services in the coordinated entry system are tracked through the Chester County Homeless Management Information System to help generate data that informs system improvement. Each year, we evaluate this data looking for markers of success and areas for improvement.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an effective coordinated entry system ensures that assistance is allocated as effectively as possible and is accessible no matter where or how people present.
How do we measure success?
To measure the efficacy of our system, the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness looks for:
an overall decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness,
a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time,
a decrease in the length of stay in emergency shelters and transitional housing (interim housing),
a decrease in the rate of returns to homelessness,
successful employment and income growth, and
successful placement into/retention of permanent housing.
What does the data tell us?
People Entering Shelters and First-Time Homelessness
Thanks to the work of our network of partners, there has been a steady decrease in the number of people entering participating emergency shelters in our community over the past five years, from 1,480 in 2018 to 992 in 2022 (a 33% decrease).
People Experiencing Homelessness FY18-FY22
In addition, there has been a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time in the last year, from 1,141 in 2021 to 694 in 2022 (a 39% decrease).
The data shows how effective the coordinated entry system and Housing First, an approach that prioritizes permanent housing, can be in connecting people experiencing housing instability and homelessness to housing and long-term stability. The decrease in the overall number of people entering shelters and those experiencing homelessness for the first time can be attributed to increased prevention efforts implemented across the county.
Prevention provides housing relocation and stabilization services to prevent an individual or family from entering the emergency shelter system. Prevention efforts across the county include the Friends Association Eviction Prevention Case Resolution program, which provides free legal and social services support needed to prevent evictions and future housing instability, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) grant funding through the Chester County Department of Community Development, which can be used to pay rent and utilities or rehousing costs.
People Experiencing First-Time Homelessness
Length of Stay in Emergency Shelters
The average length of stay in emergency shelters has increased by 61% from 64 days in 2021 to 103 days in 2022.
This increase in the average length of stay could be attributed to inflation, a tightening of the housing market, high healthcare costs, reduced capacity and resources to support rapid resolution, the inability to rapid rehouse and provide supportive housing, as well as other demographic and health factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, mental health issues, or substance use disorder.
Rapid resolution combines diversion and rapid exit strategies to help avoid literal homelessness or minimize the length of stay in emergency shelters. Diversion works to preserve current housing or assist individuals in finding temporary housing within their network of family, friends, or community, while rapid exit aims to ensure homelessness is as brief as possible, helping individuals return to housing on their own or with limited support and financial assistance.
Rapid rehousing and supportive housing provide case management, support services, and financial assistance to place individuals in permanent housing and provide the support they need to retain housing long-term.
Average and Median Length of Stay in Days FY18-FY22
Housing Assistance and Stability Services
Coordinated entry supports fair, equitable, and rapid access to housing assistance and stability services. The Housing First approach supports stable housing and individual choice as a foundation for meeting basic needs, accessing support services, and achieving long-term goals.
Data shows that the Housing First approach helps individuals and families remain in permanent housing. 85% of people who exited from interim or supportive housing to permanent housing remained housed two years later.
Of those individuals who were enrolled in permanent housing programs, 96% remained in permanent supportive housing or exited to other permanent housing.
People Exiting Interim or Supportive Housing to Permanent Housing
85% Remained Housed
85% of people exiting from interim or supportive housing to permanent housing remained housed two years later
People Enrolled in or Exiting to Permanent Housing
96% remained housed
96% of people enrolled in permanent supportive housing remained housed or exited to other permanent housing
Nearly half (45%) of individuals staying in CoC funded programs in 2022 increased their total income thanks to case management support to find employment or job training opportunities as well as support enrolling in government assistance and benefits programs (e.g. SSI, SSDI, etc).
Similarly, nearly half of individuals (44%) leaving CoC funded programs in 2022 also increased their total income setting them up for long-term stability and well-being.
People Staying in CoC Funded Programs, Increased Income
People Leaving CoC Funded Programs, Increased Income
One county. One commitment. One vision to see our community housed.
Learn more about ending homelessness in Chester County.
Take action and connect with us on Facebook @ChescoPartnership
Become a partner and support, rent, or develop affordable housing
Voting Toolkit and Resources for Homeless Service Providers in Pennsylvania
The Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness is supporting the Every One Votes initiative by sharing a compilation of tools and resources with our housing solution partners providing direct services to people experiencing homelessness so that everyone in our community has the opportunity and resources they need to register to vote and show up to vote during elections.
Adapted from the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Every One Votes Toolkit
Every One Votes is an initiative of the National Alliance to End Homelessness to ensure that people who are experiencing homelessness are registered to vote and able to exercise their right to vote.
The Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness is supporting the Every One Votes initiative by sharing a compilation of tools and resources with our housing solution partners providing direct services to people experiencing homelessness so that everyone in our community has the opportunity and resources they need to register to vote and show up to vote during elections.
Every One Votes Pennsylvania
We’ve used the Every One Votes Toolkit as a guide to compile the following information and resources and to answer the most frequently asked questions about voting in Pennsylvania without a home address.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
A United States citizen at least 30 days before the next election.
A resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the next election.
Those at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election.
Those who are registered to vote by the state’s registration deadline.
Even if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or are in pretrial detention you may be able to vote in Pennsylvania. Felons lose their voting rights only while incarcerated in Pennsylvania, and receive automatic restoration upon release. Learn more about felon voting rights.
ADDRESS REQUIREMENTS
All 50 states require a physical address and mailing address.
The purpose of providing a place of residence is to ensure the person is registering to vote in the proper district and to assign the voter a polling place.
A traditional dwelling or physical residence is not required, and one may list the place one considers their residence, or where they sleep at night, which can include a shelter, bench in the park, or even under a freeway.
Pennsylvania has a check box on the voter registration form for those who do not have a street address or permanent residence and allows voters to draw a map or diagram of where they live.
In most states, a mailing address is required in order for the jurisdiction to send voter ID and election-related materials. However, this address does not have to be the voter’s actual residence. For clients, this can include any location willing to accept the mail on the client’s behalf, including shelters, or a provider’s place of business.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Pennsylvania’s voter registration form asks for your Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID number for those under age 18, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. The form also has a check box for those who do not have a PA driver's license, PennDOT ID card or a Social Security number.
Pennsylvania does not require voters to present an ID to vote, unless it’s the first time voting. When voting at a polling place for the first time, you must show proof of identification, either with photo or not. Learn more about the types of ID you can show.
If your client needs help to get identification, including obtaining underlying documents like birth certificates, and pro bono legal help go to VoteRiders.org
REGISTRATION DEADLINE & FORMS
Registration Deadlines and Election Dates in Pennsylvania
Last day to register to vote: October 24, 2022
Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: November 1, 2022
General Election: November 8, 2022
Polls are open on election day from 7 A.M. - 8 P.M.
Official Election Websites, Forms, and Contacts
More election information at: http://www.votesPA.com
Online voter registration available at: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
Mail-in voter registration forms available at: https://www.votespa.com/Resources/Pages/Resource-Center.aspx
Find your local election office contact information at: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm
HOW TO VOTE
In Person
Look up your voting site and hours at: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx
Voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by the closing time then you have the right to vote.
By Mail/Absentee Ballot
In Pennsylvania, you have two options for mail ballots.
Mail-in ballot – Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from going to your polling place on election day, you can request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.
Learn more about Pennsylvania mail-in and absentee ballots.
First-Time Voters
If you are voting in Pennsylvania for the first time or if you are voting at a new polling place, learn what you need to prepare in advance. Learn more about Pennsylvania voter ID requirements and rules.
Accessible Voting
Voters with a disability may get help voting. See more options for accessible voting or request an accessible remote ballot.
Completed ballots must be received by your county election office before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
MORE RESOURCES
Chester County Voters Services: https://www.chesco.org/156/Voter-Services
Voter Registration Script: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Script-Voter-Registration-2020-copy.pdf
Am I Registered to Vote Search Tool: https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/
Permissible Election Activities Checklist: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/resource/staying-nonpartisan-permissible-election-activities-checklist-2/
Voting Guide for College Students: https://www.campusvoteproject.org/stateguides/pennsylvania
Every One Votes Social Media Toolkit
Voter Registration
Get Out the Vote
Chester County 2022 Coordinated Entry System Efficacy
Coordinated entry supports fair, equitable, and rapid access to housing assistance and stability services. All services in the coordinated entry system are tracked through the Chester County Homeless Management Information System to help generate data that informs system improvement. Each year, we evaluate this data looking for markers of success and areas for improvement.
Coordinated entry supports fair, equitable, and rapid access to housing assistance and stability services. All services in the coordinated entry system are tracked through the Chester County Homeless Management Information System to help generate data that informs system improvement. Each year, we evaluate this data looking for markers of success and areas for improvement.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an effective coordinated entry system ensures that assistance is allocated as effectively as possible and is accessible no matter where or how people present.
How do we measure success?
To measure the efficacy of our system, we look for:
an overall decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness,
a decrease in the length of stay in emergency shelters and safe havens,
an increase in retention of permanent housing, and
a decrease in the rate of returns to homelessness
System Performance 2017-2021
Returns to Homelessness from Emergency Shelters
What does the data tell us about system performance?
Thanks to the work of our network of partners, we have seen a steady decrease in the number of people entering participating emergency shelters in our community over the past five years, from 1,707 in 2017 to 1,165 in 2021 (a 32% decrease). We know that more resources are needed to meet the need in our community, but we are hopeful for the future.
The data shows us how effective the coordinated entry system and Housing First, an approach that prioritizes permanent housing, can be in connecting people experiencing housing instability and homelessness to housing and long-term stability.
32% decrease ⬇
in the number of people entering participating emergency shelters over the past five years.
35% decrease ⬇
in average length of stay in emergency shelters from 2019 to 2021.
The average length of stay in emergency shelters has decreased by 35% from 99 days in 2019 to 64 days in 2021. This decrease in the average length of stay could be attributed to successful prevention efforts, such as the eviction moratorium, emergency rental assistance program, eviction prevention court, and a continued decrease in evictions, keeping people in housing and out of emergency shelters. It could also be a sign that people referred through the coordinated entry system are finding housing options faster, being successfully placed in permanent housing, and staying housed longer.
83% remained housed
people who exited an emergency shelter to permanent housing remained housed two years later
85% remained housed
people who exited transitional housing to permanent housing remained housed two years later
In fact, we have seen high rates of permanent housing retention for individuals exiting from emergency shelters and transitional housing. The Housing First approach supports stable housing and individual choice as a foundation for meeting basic needs, accessing support services, and achieving long-term goals, which has been attributed to greater rates of housing retention and overall improved quality of life.
View the Chester County Coordinated Entry System performance measures data
One county. One commitment. One vision to see our community housed.
Learn more about ending homelessness in Chester County.
Take action and connect with us on Facebook @ChescoPartnership
Become a partner and support, rent, or develop affordable housing
Chester County 2022 Point-in-Time Count
On the evening of January 26 and early hours of January 27, 2022, the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) facilitated the annual Point-in-Time Count. The purpose of this initiative is to determine the number of people currently experiencing homelessness on a given night, to better understand homelessness in Chester County and across the nation, and to support the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Homelessness in Chester County at one point in time.
On the evening of January 26 and early hours of January 27, 2022, the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) facilitated the annual Point-in-Time Count. This is a national effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and data from the count is included in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), which is presented to Congress. The purpose of this initiative is to determine the number of people currently experiencing homelessness on a given night, to better understand homelessness in Chester County and across the nation, and to support the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
402 people were experiencing homelessness in Chester County on January 26, 2022
Homelessness Over the Last 5 Years**
**In 2021, Chester County did not conduct a comprehensive Point-in-Time Count due to COVID-19.
Race
Ethnicity
35% (or 146) individuals identify as female
42% (or 168) individuals in families with children
25% (or 99) children under age 18
23 people were sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground.
Unsheltered Homelessness By Location
Coatesville: 3 individuals in 3 households
Downington/Thorndale: 9 individuals in 1 household
Kennett Square: 1 individual in 1 household
Malvern: 1 individual in 1 household
Oxford: 4 individuals in 3 households
Parkesburg: 2 individuals in 2 households
West Chester: 3 individuals in 3 households
Total Households, 14
Total Individuals, 23
379 people were living in a public or private temporary shelter, including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels.
Sheltered Homelessness by Type and Household
One county. One commitment. One vision to see our community housed.
Learn more about ending homelessness in Chester County.
Take action and connect with us on Facebook @ChescoPartnership
Become a partner and support, rent, or develop affordable housing
State of Homelessness: 2021 Edition
The current report draws from the nationwide Point-in-Time Count that occurred in January of 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. Thus, the data does not reflect any of the changes brought about by the crisis. Instead, the current report reflects the State of Homelessness in America just before a once-in-a-lifetime event interrupted the status quo. In January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Most were individuals (70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. They lived in every state and territory, and they reflected the diversity of our country.
The current report draws from the nationwide Point-in-Time Count that occurred in January of 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. Thus, the data does not reflect any of the changes brought about by the crisis. Instead, the current report reflects the State of Homelessness in America just before a once-in-a-lifetime event interrupted the status quo. In January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Most were individuals (70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. They lived in every state and territory, and they reflected the diversity of our country.
Out of Reach 2021
Out of Reach documents the significant gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States. The report’s central statistic, the Housing Wage, is an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a modest rental home at HUD’s fair market rent (FMR) without spending more than 30% of his or her income on housing costs, the accepted standard of affordability.
Out of Reach documents the significant gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States. The report’s central statistic, the Housing Wage, is an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a modest rental home at HUD’s fair market rent (FMR) without spending more than 30% of his or her income on housing costs, the accepted standard of affordability.
Chester County Planning Commission Housing Report 2020
In 2020, recent trends of increasing housing prices, sales, and new construction continued. The median home sale price continued to rise, from $340,000 in 2018 to $355,000 in 2019, then further increasing to $375,064 in 2020. Adjusting for inflation, this is the highest median price since 2007.
In 2020, recent trends of increasing housing prices, sales, and new construction continued. The median home sale price continued to rise, from $340,000 in 2018 to $355,000 in 2019, then further increasing to $375,064 in 2020. Adjusting for inflation, this is the highest median price since 2007.
MCHC Family Benefits COVID-19
Maternal and Child Health Consortium assists with Health Insurance, SNAP Benefits enrollment and Cash assistance.
Maternal and Child Health Consortium assists with Health Insurance, SNAP Benefits enrollment and Cash assistance. Watch the MCHC video:
Chester County Homeless Youth Count
Decade to Doorways surveyed a total of 140 homeless or unstably housed youth throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania to identify their most urgent needs and determine where the county lacked resources in stabilizing their lives.
Decade to Doorways surveyed a total of 140 homeless or unstably housed youth throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania to identify their most urgent needs and determine where the county lacked resources in stabilizing their lives.