Eviction Lab: Eviction Tracking for Pennsylvania
Eviction Lab presents the latest on eviction data in the state of Pennsylvania.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County Housing Programs
In a recent state-wide survey of domestic violence survivors, 93% of the respondents ranked housing as their most pressing need. The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County offers resources and programming to support domestic violence victims in finding safe, affordable housing.
Housing and Homes
People’s homes can have a major impact on their health and well-being. Healthy People 2030 focuses on reducing health and safety risks in homes.
The Relationship Between Poverty and Homelessness Among Older Adults
Poverty affects older adults differently than other groups because they are more vulnerable to economic instability when their physical health, cognitive abilities, and social networks decline. The National Alliance to End Homelessness outlines how poverty and homelessness are connected for older adults.
Income and Housing Affordability
Low-income households are typically unemployed or underemployed due to a number of factors, such as a challenging labor market; limited education; a gap in work history; a criminal record; unreliable transportation or unstable housing; poor health or a disability. For those who are low-income but employed, wages have been stagnant and have not kept pace with expensive housing costs. The National Alliance to End Homelessness outlines how income and housing affordability are connected.
Priced Out: The State of Housing in America
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute in Washington, D.C., presents the pressing housing affordability crisis affecting people with the lowest incomes and recommend policies to move toward the goal of ensuring everyone in this country is able to afford safe, stable housing.
Housing Affordability and Homelessness
The nation is currently facing one of the most severe affordable housing crises in history. Not surprisingly, those living in poverty are the most significantly affected. The National Alliance to End Homelessness provides an overview of why housing affordability and homelessness are interconnected.
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
Código Azul: Refugio de Emergencia para Climas Extremos
Un Código Azul se declara cuando las condiciones climáticas invernales representan una amenaza de daño severo o muerte a personas sin refugio. Los residentes del Condado de Chester que necesitan refugio contra el frío deben llamar al 2-1-1 para recibir asistencia inmediata.
Un Código Azul se declara cuando las condiciones climáticas invernales representan una amenaza de daño severo o muerte a personas sin refugio. Los residentes del Condado de Chester que necesitan refugio contra el frío deben llamar al 2-1-1 para recibir asistencia inmediata. Para obtener más información, visite chesco.org/codeblue o consulte la Política de refugios de emergencia para climas extremos.
Code Blue: Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter
A Code Blue Is declared when winter weather conditions pose a threat of severe harm or death to people without shelter. Chester County residents who need shelter from the cold should call 2-1-1 for immediate assistance. For more info, go to chesco.org/codeblue or you can view the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy.
A Code Blue Is declared when winter weather conditions pose a threat of severe harm or death to people without shelter. Chester County residents who need shelter from the cold should call 2-1-1 for immediate assistance. For more info, go to chesco.org/codeblue or view the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy.
TRADUCCIÓN - Código Azul: Refugio de emergencia para climas extremos
Un Código Azul se declara cuando las condiciones climáticas invernales representan una amenaza de daño severo o muerte a personas sin refugio. Los residentes del Condado de Chester que necesitan refugio contra el frío deben llamar al 2-1-1 para recibir asistencia inmediata. Para obtener más información, visite chesco.org/codeblue o consulte la Política de refugios de emergencia para climas extremos.
16 homeless Chester County residents who died honored
Sixteen homeless Chester County residents who died in the past year were remembered during a memorial service recently at the historic Chester County Courthouse. A candle was lit for each person who passed, while their names and ages were solemnly read, during National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day 2022.
Sixteen homeless Chester County residents who died in the past year were remembered during a memorial service recently at the historic Chester County Courthouse.
A candle was lit for each person who passed, while their names and ages were solemnly read, during National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day 2022.
Similar events were held nationwide to mark Dec. 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.
The goal of the memorial service that attracted almost three dozen attendees was to commemorate the men, women and children who died on the streets and in emergency shelters this year, to recommit to ending homelessness in Chester County and to prevent such deaths in the future.
Chester County Affordable Housing Pipeline
It takes a wide range of people and organizations working together to create solutions. Making sure that communities have the resources they need is like solving a puzzle. That’s why community development organizations are so important. As puzzle-solvers for the community, these organizations help communities gather and put together the pieces to complete the picture, so the community has what it needs to be prosperous, including safe, decent, and affordable homes. Click on this post to find out more about how this works, recently completed homes, or homes in the pipeline.
It takes a wide range of people and organizations working together to create solutions. Making sure that communities have the resources they need is like solving a puzzle. That’s why community development organizations are so important. As puzzle-solvers for the community, these organizations help communities gather and put together the pieces to complete the picture, so the community has what it needs to be prosperous, including safe, decent, and affordable homes. Click on this post to find out more about how this works, recently completed homes, or homes in the pipeline.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Community Health Needs Assessment
A group of local hospitals and health systems collaborated on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Community Health Needs Assessment, with specific focus on Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties, to continue collaboration and provide opportunities to expand and improve upon the last assessment process. Participants recognize this assessment as an important part of how health systems, multi-sector partners, and communities work together to achieve meaningful and positive community change.
Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy
The Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy is intended to provide a safe environment for Chester County residents experiencing homelessness during times of extreme weather events that are threat to human life or well-being. This policy is not intended to supersede any other county policy or department of emergency services policy.
The Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy is intended to provide a safe environment for Chester County residents experiencing homelessness during times of extreme weather events that are threat to human life or well-being. This policy is not intended to supersede any other county policy or department of emergency services policy.
Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy will be implemented in Chester County at any time the forecasted weather poses a threat to human life or well-being. This includes when temperatures are extremely low, high, any additional weather related event, or natural disaster that poses a threat to human life or well-being. Based on these factors, participating Emergency Shelters will check the weather forecast by 9:00 AM daily and determine if the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter policy is to be implemented to provide warming centers and offer cold weather beds.
Emergency Shelters contracted with the Chester County Department of Community Development have agreed to institute the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy guidelines when:
temperatures are forecast to be 35 degrees or below, including the wind chill factor
temperatures with a heat index of 90 degrees or above, including humidity
During extreme weather conditions, Emergency Shelters will make their extreme weather beds available, as applicable. Anyone on an Emergency Shelter List in CCCIMS who is identified as street homeless/living in a place not meant for human habitation will be prioritized for any available emergency shelter beds.
Extreme weather placements are for one night only. If the Emergency Shelter has an open standard bed available after an extreme weather placement, they can transition the individual or family to that bed. If it is determined that the extreme weather will persist, Emergency Shelters are to provide the current individual or family extreme weather placement until the extreme weather subsides.
Third party referrals (Hospitals, Mental Health Facilities, Drug & Alcohol Facilities, etc…) must still go through 2-1-1 in order to be seen by the Street Outreach Team. No third party extreme weather or standard Emergency Shelter referrals will be accepted unless they come from 2-1-1.
Note that an exception to this policy is if an individual or a family shows up at a shelter during extreme weather conditions as described in the first paragraph after standard 2-1-1 or Street Outreach business hours; they should be given an extreme weather bed/unit if one is available and directed to contact 2-1-1 the next business day to get on the Emergency Shelter List.
The Street Outreach Team has the discretion to administer hotel/motel vouchers to those that are sleeping on the street or in a place not meant for human habitation when Emergency Shelter space is unavailable, on a case by case basis. When emergency shelter becomes available, the individual must leave the hotel and accept the shelter referral. Failure to accept emergency shelter will lead to loss of the hotel voucher.
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
Affordable housing unit opens in West Chester
Politicians, well-wishers and dignitaries attended Wednesday’s ribbon cutting of the Pinckney Hill Commons housing development. New residents are moving in to 51 recently constructed affordable housing units at Pinckney Hill Commons, at East Market Street, on the grounds of the Melton Center. With limits set on both the minimum and maximum required income for middle income residents, the apartments are attracting nurses, retail workers and school workers.
Politicians, well-wishers and dignitaries attended Wednesday’s ribbon cutting of the Pinckney Hill Commons housing development. New residents are moving in to 51 recently constructed affordable housing units at Pinckney Hill Commons, at East Market Street, on the grounds of the Melton Center.
With limits set on both the minimum and maximum required income for middle income residents, the apartments are attracting nurses, retail workers and school workers.
Evictions Cause Increases in Residential Mobility, Homelessness, and Hospital Use and Decreases in Financial Health
The National Bureau of Economic Research released a new paper, “Eviction and Poverty in American Cities,” evaluating the consequences of evictions for tenants in two urban areas: Cook County, IL, and New York City, NY.
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell Hosts Community Groups and Legislators to Discuss Affordable Housing
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, in partnership with several nonprofit community organizations, hosted a legislative gathering this week at the West Chester University Graduate Center. The goal of the gathering was to share voices heard during recently held housing focus groups, and to explore ways legislators and community groups can work together to ensure affordable and accessible housing is available to all residents of Chester County.
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, in partnership with several nonprofit community organizations, hosted a legislative gathering this week at the West Chester University Graduate Center. The goal of the gathering was to share voices heard during recently held housing focus groups, and to explore ways legislators and community groups can work together to ensure affordable and accessible housing is available to all residents of Chester County.
The legislative gathering followed a series of six focus group sessions hosted by local nonprofits including Home of the Sparrow, Orion Communities, Act in Faith of Greater West Chester, Kennett Area Community Service, Community Youth and Women’s Alliance, Oxford Area Neighborhood Services, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, Oxford Silo, Black Women of Chester County in Action, and the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness in partnership with The Housing Alliance of PA. The goal of the focus groups was listening to and lifting the voices of people with lived experience and expertise to make substantial positive changes in the rust belt, rural, and inner ring suburb communities. A total of 61 individuals shared their testimonies and experiences regarding housing in Chester County.