NLIHC Out Of Reach Report: Minimum Wage to Afford a Two Bedroom Home in Chester Country
Let's reflect on the findings of the Out of Reach 2023 report, published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). The report unveils a concerning reality: the significant disparity between people's wages and the cost of modest rental housing across the United States. This comprehensive report dissects the affordability crisis, examining the affordability gap in every state, county, metropolitan area and combined non-metropolitan area.
Let's reflect on the findings of the Out of Reach 2023 report, published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). The report unveils a concerning reality: the significant disparity between people's wages and the cost of modest rental housing across the United States. This comprehensive report dissects the affordability crisis, examining the affordability gap in every state, county, metropolitan area and combined non-metropolitan area.
To afford a modest two-bedroom apartment here, an income of at least $28.27 per hour (or an annual salary of $58,800) is required. This translates to the staggering fact that approximately 3.9 full-time jobs at minimum wage are necessary just to secure a two-bedroom place to live in our county.
These numbers are more than statistics; they represent the daily struggles of our neighbors. As one of our Lived Experience Advisory Board members said, “When you’re homeless it’s really hard on your confidence.”
We advocate for housing policies that can bridge this gap and ensure everyone in Chester County has a safe and affordable place to call home. Together, we can make a difference.
ALICE in PA: Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed
In Chester County, PA, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals some crucial insights. While the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold (asset-limited, Income Constrained, Employed) often corresponds with larger demographic groups, it's essential to look beyond the surface. When we examine the proportion of each group facing financial challenges, disparities become evident.
In Chester County, PA, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals some crucial insights. While the largest population of households below the ALICE Threshold (asset-limited, Income Constrained, Employed) often corresponds with larger demographic groups, it's essential to look beyond the surface. When we examine the proportion of each group facing financial challenges, disparities become evident.
Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and people of mixed race are disproportionately represented in ALICE counts compared to their White counterparts, based on 2021 data. This is a stark reminder that economic inequality is not evenly distributed.
So, why does this matter? Because equitable economic policies are not just about numbers; they're about people. To truly end homelessness in Chester County, we must address these disparities head-on, ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at economic stability and secure housing. It's a collective effort, and together, we can make a difference. To learn more about what you can do, please visit our affordable housing advocacy webpage.
ALICE in PA: Number of Households in Financial Hardship in PA
According to official measures, 12% of households in Pennsylvania (equivalent to 636,093 households) were considered to be in poverty in 2021 based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, ALICE data tells a different story. An additional 27% (1.4 million households) fall into the ALICE category - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are families and individuals who earn above the poverty line but still can't make ends meet in their communities.
According to official measures, 12% of households in Pennsylvania (equivalent to 636,093 households) were considered to be in poverty in 2021 based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, ALICE data tells a different story. An additional 27% (1.4 million households) fall into the ALICE category - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are families and individuals who earn above the poverty line but still can't make ends meet in their communities.
So, what does this mean for Pennsylvania? Of the 5.2 million households in our state, a staggering 39% (over 2 million households) had incomes below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival in 2021. This includes households in poverty and ALICE households, all struggling to afford the basics they need to thrive.
Let's ensure that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of their income, has access to the essentials they need for a stable and dignified life. Learn more about what you can do to advocate for affordable housing in our community.
Homelessness Awareness Week: Nov. 11-18, 2023
As a community, we possess the power to create positive change. This year, our theme for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2023 is "Home for Every Heart". Our campaign will shed light on two crucial aspects of our work: the importance of supporting both the development of affordable housing, and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.
As a community, we possess the power to create positive change. This year, our theme for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2023 is "Home for Every Heart". Our campaign will shed light on two crucial aspects of our work: the importance of supporting both the development of affordable housing, and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.
Affordable housing provides stability, security and the foundation upon which individuals and families can rebuild their lives. Today is also Veteran’s Day, and it’s important to recognize that about 35% of the individuals in interim housing in our community identify as veterans. Our work to find long-term, affordable housing for all of the veterans in our community continues. Throughout this week, we will explore the critical role affordable housing plays in preventing and ending homelessness across the nation.
To truly understand and address the complexities of homelessness, we must listen to those who have experienced it firsthand. Their stories and insights are invaluable in shaping effective solutions. Throughout the week, we will feature the voices of individuals who have walked the path from homelessness to stability, highlighting their resilience and the lessons we can learn from their journeys.
As one of our Lived Experience Advisory Board members put it, “I believe I can help people, because of all the experiences I have been through.”
Join us in raising awareness, fostering empathy, and taking action. Throughout the week, we will host a series of initiatives aimed at bringing us closer to our goal: a Chester County where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home. Stay tuned for updates throughout Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2023!
Inactive Household By-Name List Exit Policy
The Inactive Policy is an integral component of maintaining a real-time by-name list, as well as a robust Coordinated Entry System. To ensure an efficient assessment and referral process, it is critical that the Targeted Homelessness Resource Coordinator and housing programs have the ability to contact and connect with households as soon as a housing opportunity becomes available.
Background: The Inactive Policy is an integral component of maintaining a real-time by-name list, as well as a robust Coordinated Entry System. To ensure an efficient assessment and referral process, it is critical that the Targeted Homelessness Resource Coordinator and housing programs have the ability to contact and connect with households as soon as a housing opportunity becomes available. Without this policy, the Coordinated Entry System can experience delays in its referral procedures due to the time spent searching for households in the community that they have been unable to reach through multiple attempts, often for many months. Due to this loss of contact, it is difficult for the system to determine whether these households are still in need of housing. In some situations, these households may have self-resolved their housing crisis or relocated to another county.
Policy: If a household on the Chester County By Name List for Case Conferencing has had no contact with Coordinated Entry or Street Outreach for 60 days, AND they have had no services or shelter stays in HMIS for the past 60 days the household will be removed from the “Active Homeless List” and placed on the “Inactive List”. Street Outreach staff will advise all households added to the by-name list to maintain contact with a participating service provider at a minimum every 60 days. If a household on the “Inactive List” makes contact with any members of the homeless system, including outreach workers, drop-in centers, shelters, meal lines, etc., they will be moved from the “Inactive List” to the “Active Homeless List” and then can be referred to housing openings once they have re-engaged with the system, which may require a reassessment of their vulnerability and verification of homelessness status. If a household has had no contact with the Coordinated Entry, Street Outreach, or other Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) participating providers for 90 days, that household is eligible for removal from the by-name list and will be exited from coordinated entry programs and services. Inactive clients will be reviewed at Case Conferencing meetings prior to being exited from the by-Name List. The Case Conferencing group will designate a responsible party tasked with attempting contact with the household, when appropriate. Households that are closed are eligible for services upon re-verification of homelessness and reassessment of vulnerability.
Moving Up and On Policy
The Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness (CCPEH) and its partner providers are guided by the principles that:
Housing is a human right.
Families and individuals experiencing homelessness as defined by the HEARTH Act should receive housing first, regardless of any barriers to permanent housing stability.
Once housed, families and individuals exiting from homelessness should be provided supportive services to ensure their housing stability.
Housing resources (e.g., case management, housing location services, subsidies, and referrals to other services) should be flexible and customized to the unique needs, strengths, and living situations of a family or individual using a person-centered, progressive approach.
The Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness (CCPEH) and its partner providers are guided by the principles that:
Housing is a human right.
Families and individuals experiencing homelessness as defined by the HEARTH Act should receive housing first, regardless of any barriers to permanent housing stability.
Once housed, families and individuals exiting from homelessness should be provided supportive services to ensure their housing stability.
Housing resources (e.g., case management, housing location services, subsidies, and referrals to other services) should be flexible and customized to the unique needs, strengths, and living situations of a family or individual using a person-centered, progressive approach.
Consistent with these beliefs the CCPEH partnership has developed this Moving Up and On policy to ensure that all persons currently or formerly experiencing homelessness are provided the best opportunity to gain and retain permanent housing.
CCPEH and its partner providers understand that occasionally special circumstances may arise that are not explicitly covered by this policy. In such circumstances it is expected that a majority decision be made based on our guiding principles.
Moving On and Moving Up Eligibility
All Rapid Rehousing (RRH), Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program participants are eligible for Moving On. To access Moving On services, a program participant or their representative must submit a completed Chester County Moving Up and On Assessment form to appropriate provider agency. All final Moving On recommendations shall be decided by a council consisting of the participating housing program’s staff using the guidelines below.
This policy is primarily intended for use and application by housing provider agencies and the CCPEH Case Conferencing Group. Potential housing provider programs are as follows:
Human Services Inc. RRH-PH for CTI
Human Services Inc. RRH Families & Individuals
Human Services Inc. RRH Families and Individuals
Open Hearth Housing Options PSH & PSH for Chronically Homeless
Human Services Inc. Safe Haven PSH
Housing Authority of Chester County Homeless Preference Housing Choice Voucher
Program
Housing Authority of Chester County Mainstream Voucher Program
Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program
Affordable housing developers
Moving Up Guidelines: RRH to PSH or PH
RRH program participants should be considered for PSH or other Permanent Housing (PH) programs based on program availability, eligibility, and as part of a progressive engagement approach. Generally speaking, candidates for this type of intervention have evidenced difficulty in gaining or maintaining housing with RRH resources due the need for more intensive supportive services, financial need, or any combination thereof. Candidates with a strictly financial need, such as those on fixed incomes like SSI, should be considered for permanent housing resources.
Candidates for this intervention will be evaluated using the “Move Up Assessment Form”.
Final recommendations on who will be offered this intervention will be decided by a council consisting of the participating housing program’s staff. In accordance with client choice, participants will be offered this option and must accept to move up from RRH to PSH or PH.
Moving On Guidelines: PSH to PH
Moving On is a voluntary process. Households enrolled in PSH projects have all the rights of tenancy and may remain in a program for as long as they desire. Moving On helps maximizes participant choice by and is intended to promote self- sufficiency for households currently living in PSH.
PSH participants should be considered for PH programs based on program availability, eligibility, and when the participant/s have evidenced insufficient need for formal supportive services through a PSH program. Generally speaking, candidates for this type of intervention have achieved a lengthy period of housing stability in a PSH Program.
Candidates for this intervention will be evaluated by using the CCPEH Moving On Assessment Form.
Final recommendations on who will be offered this intervention will be decided by a council consisting of the participating housing program’s staff. In accordance with client choice, participants will be offered this option and must accept the move from PSH to PH. All participants must sign a waiver indicating that they understand and accept this action.
PSH participants who Move On should be offered case management support as needed.
Training Opportunities
The following training opportunities are available to CCPEH partner providers:
General Overview
For PSH and RRH Providers
For Public Housing Authorities
Supportive Services
Assessment and Preparation
HMIS Workflow
Templates and Forms
The following templates and forms are available from the CCPEH website at https://endhomelessnesschesco.org:
Moving On MOU template
HACC Intake Interview Letter
Move On Assessment Form
Move Up Assessment Form
People can’t afford to live here, say Chester County housing activists
WEST GOSHEN - It is something of a mantra recited by leaders in Chester County that their home is a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. And while that it is almost certainly true, it is also evident that it is not necessarily an affordable place to live, work, raise a family and retire, especially if you have a household that falls below the median income of $110,000.
Chester County’s homeless population rises for first time since 2020
Up until last year, the county had made steady progress when many neighboring jurisdictions struggled to combat the housing crisis, “We continue to look for opportunities to develop more affordable housing. Unfortunately, in this market, it’s become increasingly difficult to find safe, decent, and affordable housing — despite our efforts to create more housing over the past few years,” said Shaun Bollig, deputy director for the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD).
“Chester County’s homeless population rose for the first time since 2020.
Data from Chester County’s 2023 Point-In-Time count tallied 436 unhoused people on Jan. 25, an eight percent increase from 2022. The latest numbers from Pennsylvania’s wealthiest county — which previously pledged to end chronic homelessness by 2021 — are not an encouraging sign.
Up until last year, the county had made steady progress when many neighboring jurisdictions struggled to combat the housing crisis, “We continue to look for opportunities to develop more affordable housing. Unfortunately, in this market, it’s become increasingly difficult to find safe, decent, and affordable housing — despite our efforts to create more housing over the past few years,” said Shaun Bollig, deputy director for the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD).”
Click the button to view the full WHYY article, written by Kenny Cooper:
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
Become a partner and support, rent, or develop affordable housing
* 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.
2023 PHARE Funding Awarded to Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness Partner Organizations
The Partnership is excited to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed partner organizations for their well-deserved recognition and success in being awarded the 2023 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funding. Read this blog post to learn more about how PHARE helps address the housing affordability crisis, and how you can help increase the funding cap for this vital program.
In the ongoing battle against the affordable housing crisis, it is essential to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of organizations that work tirelessly towards creating safe and affordable homes for individuals and families in need.
The Partnership is excited to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed partner organizations for their well-deserved recognition and success in being awarded the 2023 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funding:
Home of the Sparrow: Apartment Subleases & Trauma-Informed Case Management for Justice-Involved Women
Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children: Chester County Eviction Prevention Court (EPC); NIA House
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: Homelessness Prevention for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence; Renovations to Housing for Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors
Kennett Area Community Service: Homelessness Prevention in Southern Chester County
Housing Partnership of Chester County: Housing Counseling Program
Housing Authority of the County of Chester: Housing Locator Program
W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center, Inc.: Individualized Intensive Case Management and Homelessness Prevention
Human Services, Inc.: Project Rehabilitation
Chester County Department of Community Development: Street Outreach and Data Team Reinforcement Efforts
Open Hearth, Inc.: Targeted Homelessness Resource Coordination
the Potential of PHARE Funding
In our communities, access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental necessity that forms the bedrock of stable and vibrant neighborhoods. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania continues to grapple with a shortage of affordable housing options, leaving countless individuals and families without a place to call home.
One essential tool that has proven effective in addressing this crisis is the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. However, the current funding cap imposed on PHARE significantly limits its impact. It is crucial for us to raise awareness about the urgent need to raise the PHARE funding cap and harness the full potential of this invaluable resource. Let's delve into the importance of PHARE and the benefits of raising the funding cap.
Understanding The PHARE Cap
The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) program was established to address the shortage of affordable housing in the state. It provides vital funding to support various initiatives, including rental and down payment assistance, housing rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization. PHARE grants enable local communities, nonprofits, and developers to create affordable housing opportunities and improve the quality of life for countless Pennsylvanians.
While PHARE has made significant strides in combating the housing crisis, its impact remains constrained due to the funding cap imposed on the program. The current cap limits the allocation of funds to a mere $25 million annually. Given the magnitude of the housing challenges faced by the state, this cap restricts the program's potential to create lasting change. As demand for affordable housing continues to grow, raising the PHARE funding cap becomes imperative.
Why Raise the Funding Cap?
Increased Availability of Affordable Housing: Raising the funding cap would enable PHARE to support a greater number of affordable housing projects, helping to alleviate the severe shortage experienced by individuals and families across Pennsylvania. More funds mean more homes and more opportunities for those in need.
Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Growth: Affordable housing is a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and economic growth. By raising the funding cap, PHARE can invest in initiatives that not only provide affordable homes but also improve infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance the overall livability of communities.
Strengthening Local Communities: PHARE funds are distributed to local communities, nonprofits, and developers who understand the unique housing challenges of their regions. By raising the funding cap, we empower these entities to address specific needs, foster partnerships, and implement innovative solutions tailored to their communities' requirements.
Long-term Cost Savings: Investing in affordable housing now can lead to substantial cost savings in the long run. Stable housing reduces the strain on emergency shelters, hospitals, and other public services, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars.
How Can You Make a Difference?
Share this blog post, along with the PHARE Raise the Cap fact sheet (available at https://housingalliancepa.org/resources/phare-raise-the-cap-fact-sheet/), through social media, email, or community newsletters. Encourage others to educate themselves about the importance of raising the PHARE funding cap. You can also engage with organizations dedicated to affordable housing advocacy, such as the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (https://housingalliancepa.org/). By joining these groups, you can amplify your impact and contribute to a statewide movement for change.
Navigating an Overburdened Courtroom: How Inconsistent Rules, Shadow Procedures, and Social Capital Disadvantage Tenants in Eviction Court
Landlords and tenants in eviction court navigate a complex legal and administrative process. Eviction courts are overburdened and under pressure to process enormous numbers of cases each day.
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