News & Resources
ICYMI: March Partnership Highlights
As March comes to a close, we're reflecting on the collective efforts solving homelessness in Chester County.
In this issue, we thank the volunteers who supported Januaryβs Point-in-Time Count, celebrate Womenβs History Month, and share an overview of Coordinated Entry. Most importantly, we invite you to join us for The State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County to learn, connect, and be part of the solution.
Keep reading for updates you wonβt want to miss!
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
As March comes to a close, we're reflecting on the collective efforts solving homelessness in Chester County.
In this issue, we thank the volunteers who supported Januaryβs Point-in-Time Count, celebrate Womenβs History Month, and share an overview of Coordinated Entry.
Most importantly, we invite you to join us for The State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County to learn, connect, and be part of the solution.
Keep reading for updates you wonβt want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our events page.
You're invited to The State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County!
This annual event will explore the current state of housing affordability and homelessness in Chester County, highlight ongoing efforts to prevent and end homelessness, and discuss ways our community can support these initiatives.
π June 2, 2026
π 10:00 β 11:30 AM
π In-Person & Virtual
ποΈ Registration is required.
Visit endhomelessnesschesco.org/events to learn more and register.
βοΈOn the night of January 28th, 9 teams of volunteers completed the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count across Chester County.
Take a look at the photos in this post to see the teams in West Chester, Phoenixville, Coatesville, and Oxford in action.
πΈThe PIT count is meant to serve as a snapshot of homelessness in a community and to provide a sense of the overall scope of homelessness in America
This effort was made possible through the incredible dedication of volunteers from Brandywine Valley Active Aging, Chester County Department of Community Development, Coatesville Bible Fellowship, Coatesville VA Medical Center, City of Coatesville Police Department, Friends Association, Good Samaritan Services, Human Services, Inc., Kennett Area Community Service, North Star of Chester County, Open Hearth, Oxford Neighborhood Services, and SILO.
Women's History Month
This Womenβs History Month, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible women working to solve homelessness and those experiencing homelessness.π
From frontline workers to system changemakers, your commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home inspires us all. Your dedication, compassion, and leadership are transforming communities and changing lives.
And to the women experiencing homelessness, whose resilience inspire us every day, we see you and honor your strength.
πLook through our Housing Solution Partners to find services for women, or consider volunteering or donating to support their work: endhomelessnesschesco.org/partners-directory
What is Coordinated Entry?
Coordinated Entry is the process our community uses to ensure anyone experiencing a housing crisis has fair and equal access to help. It allows people to be quickly identified, assessed, and connected to the housing and services that best fit their strengths and needs.
Hereβs how it works:
π²Step 1: Call the Chester County Human Needs Network at 2-1-1
π€Step 2: Prevention, Diversion, and/or Street Outreach
π Step 3: Connection to Emergency Shelter, Housing Location Services, Permanent Housing Resources, and/or Housing Stability Services
ICYMI: February Partnership Highlights
Even in the coldest months, our community showed up with warmth and purpose.
As we celebrated Black History Month and Valentine's Day, we also saw love reflected in advocacy and generosity. February gave us the opportunity to thank the dedicated volunteers who made the Point-in-Time Count possible and continue our work advancing housing affordability. This month highlighted what's possible when compassion meets commitment
Keep reading for more updates you wonβt want to miss!
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
Even in the coldest months, our community showed up with warmth and purpose.
As we celebrated Black History Month and Valentine's Day, we also saw love reflected in advocacy and generosity. February gave us the opportunity to thank the dedicated volunteers who made the Point-in-Time Count possible and continue our work advancing housing affordability. This month highlighted what's possible when compassion meets commitment
Keep reading for more updates you wonβt want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor Bayard Rustin, a civil rights strategist (born in West Chester) whose lifeβs work shaped our nationβs pursuit of justice and opportunity. From organizing the historic 1963 March on Washington to advancing fair housing in West Chester and nationwide, Rustin also dedicated himself to labor justice, LGBTQ+ and AIDS activism, human rights, and nonviolent activism that lifted up communities and strengthened social change
We honor his enduring legacy and commitment to dignity and equity for all. Learn more about how the Partnership is working to build on foundations like Rustinβs in our community at https://endhomelessnesschesco.org/racial-social-equity
The Partnership is a sucker for...
Affordable housing.
Decriminalizing homelessness.
Emergency solutions.
Continuum of Care.
Rental assistance.
Substance use & mental health supports.
These are key policy solutions that help prevent and end homelessness in Chester County. β€οΈ
Our advocacy agenda breaks down the national, state, and local policies that support these priorities and how to take action.
π Want to learn more? Visit our advocacy page: https://endhomelessnesschesco.org/affordable-housing-advocacy
Take a look at what our teams brought them during the night of the Point-in-Time Count.
π§₯ Warm Gear: Reflective care bags donated by RC Clothing, hats, socks, blankets, sleeping bags, and hand warmers.
π§Ό Essentials: Street outreach care bags donated by Westminster Presbyterian Church with hygiene items and food, plus additional snacks packed in each box.
π Resources: Human Needs Network contact cards to connect people with support.
π¨ Activities for Kids: Coloring books and crayons.
π Team Folder: Location lists, surveys, and key information to guide teams through the night.
We are grateful to our volunteers who braved the freezing temperatures, and to RC Clothing and Westminster Presbyterian Church for helping ensure teams were prepared to give out critical supplies. Because of you, we were able to show up for our unsheltered neighbors during weather when itβs needed most and deepen our understanding of homelessness in Chester County.
Chester County is stronger when everyone has a home they can afford.
ο»Ώπ When workers can live in the communities they serve, businesses thrive and our local economy grows stronger.
Housing stability is workforce stability.
πJoin us in pushing for practical solutions β visit our advocacy page to learn more: https://endhomelessnesschesco.org/affordable-housing-advocacy
ICYMI: January Partnership Highlights
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 wonβt want to miss!
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
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 wonβt 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.
π² Stay connected:
Instagram: @EndHomelessnessChesco
Facebook: @ChescoPartnership
βοΈ 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.
π‘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 Rentersβ Rights events.
π₯ 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
π¬ 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.
ποΈ 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.
π Need help? Visit endhomelessnesschesco.org/get-help
Leadership with experience matters
ο»Ώπ 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.
π 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.