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ICYMI: June Partnership Highlights
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.
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
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.
πBig 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. Thatβs the functional zero milestone. Thatβs 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.
β¨ Over years of coordinated work, weβve built a system that knows every person experiencing chronic homelessness by name and can connect people to housing and support more quickly and effectively. Thatβs 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, weβve 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. π
Homelessness is down 30% from last year in Chester County.
This progress didnβt happen by accident. In our community, itβs the result of moving with urgency, working together across systems, and staying accountable to results. Weβre seeing whatβs possible when coordination works.
We know this work isnβt finished. Sustaining and building on this progress takes continued commitment and investment in the approach thatβs working. And thatβs exactly what weβre 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.
β This kind of data helps us make better decisions, prioritize resources, and ensure no one falls through the cracks. Weβre seeing a clearer, more complete pictureβand 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 thatβs how we continue making meaningful progress.
In Chester County, unsheltered homelessness is down by 46%. π
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.
π 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. π 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. ποΈπ€
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 organizationβit was achieved by a community.
π 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
ICYMI: May Partnership Highlights
This May, we were reminded that strong communities are built when everyone has a stable place to call home.
From Affordable Housing Month to Older Americans Month, this issue highlights the progress Chester County is making to prevent and end homelessness through data, partnership, and housing solutions that work. Youβll find updates on system performance, affordable housing efforts, and the collaborative work happening across our community. Together, these stories reflect a simple truth: housing stability strengthens all of us.
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
This May, we were reminded that strong communities are built when everyone has a stable place to call home.
From Affordable Housing Month to Older Americans Month, this issue highlights the progress Chester County is making to prevent and end homelessness through data, partnership, and housing solutions that work. Youβll find updates on system performance, affordable housing efforts, and the collaborative work happening across our community. Together, these stories reflect a simple truth: housing stability strengthens all of us.
Keep reading for updates you wonβt want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our events page.
Built For Zero communities take a different approach to ending homelessness.
They utilize by-name data, integrated teams, community-level measurements, and more to reach #FunctionalZero.
Learn more about why Chester County is proud to be a Built for Zero community. #HomelessnessIsSovlable
No state has enough affordable rental homes for its lowest-income residents.
Thatβs the reality highlighted in the National Low Income Housing Coalitionβs 2026 report, The Gap.
ποΈIn Pennsylvania, the shortage is staggering: 262,753 rental homes are missing for extremely low-income renters.
Behind that number are real people, forced to make impossible choices between paying rent and covering basic needs like food, healthcare, and transportation.
And this isnβt just a challenge for the lowest-income households. More than 1 million Pennsylvania households spend over 30% of their income on housing, putting stability out of reach for many.
βThere is a path forward. Pennsylvaniaβs first-ever Housing Action Plan lays out a statewide strategy to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and create more stable housing opportunities for people across all income levels.
Affordable housing isnβt just a challenge for lower-income families anymore. Itβs impacting entire communities.
For generations, people were told that education and a stable career would lead to opportunity, security, and a place to call home. Today, that promise feels less certain.
The reason is simple: there arenβt enough homes. When housing is scarce, costs rise. Across the country, nearly 1 in 2 renters* and 1 in 4 homeowners** are spending too much of their income just to stay housed. That means less money for savings, childcare, healthcare, and everyday life.
This pressure spreads across the entire community, making it harder for teachers, service workers, young professionals, and families to afford to live where they work.
This affects all of us.
The solution is clear. We need more housing, and more types of housing, at a range of price points. Because when communities build enough housing, costs stabilize, more people can stay rooted, and fewer people are pushed into crisis.
Housing affordability isnβt someone elseβs issue. It shapes what is possible for all of us.
*US Census Bureau, Nearly Half of Renter Households Are Cost-Burdened, Proportions Differ by Race (2024)
**Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, The State of the Nation's Housing (2025)
Chester County has experienced a 52% decrease in people experiencing sheltered homelessness over the last 5 years.
Our latest System Performance Report is now live. Dive into the numbers and see how Chester County is working to prevent and end homelessness: endhomelessnesschesco.org/dashboard-annual-data
We all want to age with dignity, stability, and a sense of belonging.
May is Older Americans Month. Older adults are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness in America.
Take a step today to protect your future and the people you care about. Visit our advocacy page at endhomelessnesschesco.org/affordable-housing-advocacy to learn how you can support housing stability in our community. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Human Needs Network at 2-1-1 to get connected to resources in Chester County.
When there isnβt enough housing, everyone feels it.
But progress is happening.
In 2022, the Chester County Department of Community Development set a goal to add 1,000 affordable housing units in Chester County by 2030, and it's already underway:
ποΈ283 new homes opened
π§139 units under development
βοΈ67 units pending
Each new home means more stability, more opportunity, and more people able to live and work in the community they call home.
Imagine knowing the story behind every name.
Thatβs what by-name data does β it gives us a complete picture of everyone experiencing homelessness. This approach isnβt just about numbers; it is about matching real people with the right housing solutions tailored to their needs.
π Why does this matter? Because personalized solutions are powerful. By understanding individual circumstances through by-name lists, our community can make informed decisions that directly help people find their way home.
Chester County saw a 10% decrease in people experiencing first time homelessness in FY2025.
Chester Countyβs latest System Performance Report is available now! Explore the data and learn more about our progress: endhomelessnesschesco.org/dashboard-annual-data
ICYMI: April Partnership Highlights
A stronger Chester County begins with compassion and a shared commitment to housing stability.
This month, the Partnership highlights the power of hope and community collaboration as solutions to housing instability. We also examine the critical connection between health and housing, including the potential impacts of Medicaid work requirements on vulnerable residents. In recognition of Earth Day and Fair Housing Month, the Partnership reflects on how climate change and systemic barriers shape housing access and reinforces the importance of equitable, sustainable solutions for all.
This update comes from our newsletter! Want to stay informed and connected? Sign up here to receive future updates straight to your inbox.
A stronger Chester County begins with compassion and a shared commitment to housing stability.
This month, the Partnership highlights the power of hope and community collaboration as solutions to housing instability. We also examine the critical connection between health and housing, including the potential impacts of Medicaid work requirements on vulnerable residents. In recognition of Earth Day and Fair Housing Month, the Partnership reflects on how climate change and systemic barriers shape housing access and reinforces the importance of equitable, sustainable solutions for all.
Keep reading for updates you wonβt want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our events page.
During the National Month of Hope, weβre sharing "Steveβs" story.
"Steve,β Brandywine Valley Active Aging, Open Hearth, and Chester County Department of Community Development Street Outreach worked together, as a team, to build a path toward stabilityβstep by step, resource by resourceβuntil βSteveβ secured permanent housing.
His journey is a testament to resilience, the incredible power of community collaboration, and the belief that with the right support, lasting change is possible. When we work together, we can solve homelessness!
Read "Steve's" full story here.
Health and housing are deeply connected.
For many people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, access to healthcare coverage like Medicaid is essential to maintaining stability and preventing future housing crises.
On World Health Day, we recommend a helpful blog post by Marcella Maguire, Ph.D., Director of Health Systems Integration at the Corporation for Supportive Housing, outlining practical steps states, advocates, and housing providers can take to help prevent coverage loss.
Read the full blog post here.
No matter our race, gender or income, every person in Chester County needs a safe place to sleep at night.
Too many of our neighbors are being forced into homelessness by rising costs and systemic barriers.
The good news? There are evidence-based strategies that work so everyone in our community has shelter. π Add your voice to the movementβvisit our advocacy page today: endhomelessnesschesco.org/affordable-housing-advocacy
Climate change and housing stability are more connected than many realize. π
For people experiencing homelessness, extreme weather and displacement can create immediate health risks and deepen existing inequities.
Building strong homelessness response systems doesnβt just help those experiencing housing instability. It strengthens community resilience so everyone is better protected during extreme weather and natural disasters.
April is Fair Housing Month. π‘
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. These protections extend across the housing system, from shelters to rental housing to homeownership.
Learn more about fair housing rights and resources from the Chester County Department of Community Development and the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania.
Events
The State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County
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.
Your event could be here!
The Partnership welcomes event submissions from all Housing Solution and Organization Partners to share with our network.
Already a partner with an upcoming event? Email Kasey at kschlack@chesco.org
Interested in joining? Become a partner at endhomelessnesschesco.org/partnership-benefits
Resources
Advocates' Guide 2026, National Low Income Housing Coalition
The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Domestic Violence Counts: 20th Annual Report, National Network to End Domestic Violence
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.