Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

The Many Effects of Housing Discrimination on African Americans

A report from Brookings Institute found, “African Americans are disproportionately treated at health care facilities with the fewest technological resources, the most poorly trained professionals and least experienced clinicians serve predominantly black patient populations.” Public health reports show that racial residential segregation is a fundamental cause of health care disparities between Whites and Blacks. Socioeconomic status differences between races include employment and education, both of which affect health and a person’s ability to build wealth.

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Recursos en Español, Resources National Low Income Housing Coalition Recursos en Español, Resources National Low Income Housing Coalition

El Hueco: La Escasez de Viviendas Asequibles

Cada año, la Coalición Nacional de Vivienda de Bajos Ingresos (NLIHC) mide la disponibilidad de viviendas de alquiler asequibles para hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos y otros grupos de ingresos. Basado en la Muestra de Microdatos de Uso Público de la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense (ACS PUMS), El Hueco presenta datos sobre la oferta de vivienda asequible y las cargas de los costos de vivienda a nivel nacional, estatal y metropolitano. El informe también examina la demografía, la discapacidad y el estado laboral, y otras características de los hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos más afectados por la escasez nacional de viviendas de alquiler asequibles y disponibles.

Cada año, la Coalición Nacional de Vivienda de Bajos Ingresos (NLIHC) mide la disponibilidad de viviendas de alquiler asequibles para hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos y otros grupos de ingresos. Basado en la Muestra de Microdatos de Uso Público de la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense (ACS PUMS), El Hueco presenta datos sobre la oferta de vivienda asequible y las cargas de los costos de vivienda a nivel nacional, estatal y metropolitano. El informe también examina la demografía, la discapacidad y el estado laboral, y otras características de los hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos más afectados por la escasez nacional de viviendas de alquiler asequibles y disponibles.

Leer el informe completo

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Resources U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Resources U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

2020 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report

The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a HUD report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based on Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data about persons who experience homelessness during a 12-month period, point-in-time counts of people experiencing homelessness on one day in January, and data about the inventory of shelter and housing available in a community.

The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a HUD report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based on Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data about persons who experience homelessness during a 12-month period, point-in-time counts of people experiencing homelessness on one day in January, and data about the inventory of shelter and housing available in a community.

Read the full report

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Recursos en Español, Resources National Low Income Housing Coalition Recursos en Español, Resources National Low Income Housing Coalition

Fuera de Alcance 2021

Los documentos fuera de alcance son una brecha significativa entre los salarios de los inquilinos y el costo de vivienda de alquiler en los Estados Unidos. La estadística central del informe, el costo de vivienda es una estimación del salario por hora que debe ganar un trabajador a tiempo completo para pagar una vivienda de alquiler modesta con el alquiler de mercado justo (FMR) de HUD sin gastar más del 30% de sus ingresos en gastos de vivienda, el estándar aceptado de asequibilidad.

Los documentos fuera de alcance son una brecha significativa entre los salarios de los inquilinos y el costo de vivienda de alquiler en los Estados Unidos. La estadística central del informe, el costo de vivienda es una estimación del salario por hora que debe ganar un trabajador a tiempo completo para pagar una vivienda de alquiler modesta con el alquiler de mercado justo (FMR) de HUD sin gastar más del 30% de sus ingresos en gastos de vivienda, el estándar aceptado de asequibilidad.

Leer el informe completo

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Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

Housing and Health: A Roadmap for the Future

In this report, the American Hospital Association shares data on the connection between health and housing stability. To be physically and mentally healthy, individuals need a safe, stable place to sleep at night. Housing-insecure individuals have worse health status and outcomes than those in stable housing.

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Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

Students Experiencing Homelessness in Pennsylvania: New Evidence of Under-Identification and Inequity

Pennsylvania schools have a history of under-identification. In this brief, Research for Action provides some evidence of improvement in identification of students experiencing homelessness in PA; however, rates vary by school community and Pennsylvania overall ranks only 36th out of 50 states in identification of students experiencing homelessness per school-aged children in poverty.

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Resources Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Resources Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

Unemployment Rights and Resources – COVID-19

Across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are doing their part to combat this virus–from staying indoors and delivering supplies to neighbors to caring for sick patients in hospitals and keeping our communities safe—and together, we’re going to beat this. My office is working to protect the health, safety, and financial security of all Pennsylvanians during this public health emergency. If you need help accessing any of the resources available below and are unsure who to contact, please reach out to my office at 717-787-3391 or info@attorneygeneral.gov.

Across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are doing their part to combat this virus–from staying indoors and delivering supplies to neighbors to caring for sick patients in hospitals and keeping our communities safe—and together, we’re going to beat this. My office is working to protect the health, safety, and financial security of all Pennsylvanians during this public health emergency. If you need help accessing any of the resources available below and are unsure who to contact, please reach out to my office at 717-787-3391 or info@attorneygeneral.gov.

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Resources Chester County Planning Commission Resources Chester County Planning Commission

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.

Read the Housing Report

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Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

50 Obstacles to Leaving

The National Domestic Violence Hotline adapted Sarah M. Buel’s “Fifty Obstacles to Leaving, a.k.a., Why Abuse Victims Stay” outlining 50 different reasons why abuse victims stay that she has encountered throughout her 20+ years of work in the domestic violence field.

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Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

Understanding the Cycle of Housing Insecurity for Marginalized Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence

This paper summarizes findings from a community-based participatory research study conducted in collaboration with survivors from marginalized communities. The cycle of housing insecurity model presented in this paper draws attention to survivors’ barriers in getting and keeping housing. Recommendations are offered to counter these experiences through improved program services, policy implementation, and public awareness.

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Resources United Way of Pennsylvania Resources United Way of Pennsylvania

ALICE in Pennsylvania: A Financial Hardship Study

This body of research provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of a population called ALICE — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE represents the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities. Partnering with United Ways, nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations, and other state organizations, this research initiative provides data to stimulate meaningful discussion, attract new partners, and ultimately inform strategies for positive change. Read more about ALICE in Chester County

This body of research provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of a population called ALICE — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE represents the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities. Partnering with United Ways, nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations, and other state organizations, this research initiative provides data to stimulate meaningful discussion, attract new partners, and ultimately inform strategies for positive change.

Read more about ALICE in Chester County

Read the full report

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Recursos en Español, Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Recursos en Español, Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

¡Lanzamiento de la campaña de concientización pública!

Decade to Doorways y el condado de Chester reconocieron los esfuerzos incansables y el progreso significativo de la asociación Decade to Doorways de agencias locales, empresas, comunidades religiosas y vecinos para poner fin a la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester para 2022.

Decade to Doorways y el condado de Chester reconocieron los esfuerzos incansables y el progreso significativo de la asociación Decade to Doorways de agencias locales, empresas, comunidades religiosas y vecinos para poner fin a la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester para 2022.

Decade to Doorways anunció la nueva campaña de concientización pública para mostrar la compasión activa detrás de escena y el apoyo inquebrantable que la asociación brinda a nuestra comunidad a diario.

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Resources Chester County Department of Community Development Resources Chester County Department of Community Development

A Place to Call Home: Housing Challenges Among Immigrant Families

Immigrant families face housing challenges including a lack of affordable housing, health hazards, and overcrowding. Family professionals can support housing by asking about immigrant client housing, connecting with resources, supporting culturally sensitive housing programs, and encouraging political engagement.

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Resources, News Chester County Department of Community Development Resources, News Chester County Department of Community Development

Decade to Doorways COVID-19 Response

The community has had to adapt and respond creatively to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors in need during the current health crisis.

The community has had to adapt and respond creatively to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors in need during the current health crisis.

DCD staff transitioned over 100 community members residing in emergency shelters and places not meant for human habitation into area hotels. “Using hotels was deemed the best means of ensuring the health and safety of our most vulnerable community members,” said Pat Bokovitz.

Since the start of the pandemic, in mid-March, over 50 households have taken part in a housing program that has resulted in being placed in permanent housing or who are currently looking for a permanent home.

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Resources DCD General Resources DCD General

Wings for Success Services for Women Ages 15+ During COVID-19

Need help? Wings for Success provides the following: Emergency clothing or clothing for work, updating resume/interview prep/career advice, and virtual workshops. Hablamos español.

Need help? Wings for Success provides the following: Emergency clothing or clothing for work, updating resume/interview prep/career advice, and virtual workshops. Hablamos español.

View the COVID-19 resources

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Resources DCD General Resources DCD General

Justice at Work’s Guidance for the Safety of Essential Workers: Pennsylvania Department of Health Order of April 15, 2020

Are you still working because your workplace is an "essential" business? If so, you are entitled to health and safety protections at work. Employers must take certain actions to ensure the health and safety of its employees.

Are you still working because your workplace is an "essential" business? If so, you are entitled to health and safety protections at work. Employers must take certain actions to ensure the health and safety of its employees, including:

  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, in accordance with CDC guidance.

  • If the business finds out it has been exposed to an individual with Covid-19, it must:

    • Close off the area where the sick employee has been working

    • Ventilate the area for 24 hours before beginning to clean it

    • Identify employees who were in close contact with the sick individual

    • Test employee’s temperatures when they begin their shift

    • Employees with symptoms should stay home from work

  • Employee work schedule changes

    • Stagger employees’ shift start and end times so that they are not in groups

    • Stagger employees’ break times so that they are not taking breaks in large groups

  • • Provide enough space for social distancing at work

    • Provide enough space for employees to have breaks and meals while remaining at least 6 feet apart from one another

    • Limit the number of employees in common areas

    • Conduct meetings virtually when possible

    • Do not require meetings of more than 10 people or within 6 feet of each other

  • Provide its employees with access to frequent hand washing with soap and water, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and protective masks to be worn at all times

  • Businesses open to the public must also:

    • Limit the number of customers and employees in the building at one time

    • Install shields or barriers in check-out areas to separate cashiers from customers

    • Require all customers to wear a mask in the building (with limited exceptions)

If you have questions about this guidance or believe your employer is not following it, contact Justice at Work at 215-733-0878. All calls are confidential.

Download the flyer from Justice at Work

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Resources DCD General Resources DCD General

PECO COVID Resources

PECO understands that many customers are continuing to face financial hardships. To assist, PECO is offering expanded payment agreements and financial assistance programs to help customers pay down outstanding balances that may have increased during the pandemic.

PECO understands that many customers are continuing to face financial hardships. To assist, PECO is offering expanded payment agreements and financial assistance programs to help customers pay down outstanding balances that may have increased during the pandemic.

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Resources Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Resources Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

24/7 Behavioral and Mental Health Support & Referral Helpline

This statewide support line is staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers who will be available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to community-based resources that can further help to meet individual needs. Call 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.

This statewide support line is staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers who will be available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to community-based resources that can further help to meet individual needs. Call 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.

Read the press release

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Resources DCD General Resources DCD General

How to File for Unemployment Compensation During Coronavirus

If you lost your job or your hours were cut because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should apply for unemployment compensation at: https://www.uc.pa.gov, or call the statewide toll-free number: 888-313-7284.

If you lost your job or your hours were cut because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should apply for unemployment compensation at: https://www.uc.pa.gov, or call the statewide toll-free number: 888-313-7284.

View the flyer

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