YMCA students, members unite to fight homelessness and food insecurity

Students from the YMCA’s BASE program are pictured with the donations they collected on behalf of local organizations. Pictured with the students (left to right) are Claudia Aust of the YMCA, Ruby Abouraya of Safe Harbor of Chester County, Kecia Crowl of Kennett Area Community Service, Rachel Thomas Steadman of Bridge of Hope, Chaleena Boggs of Safe Harbor of Chester County, Patrice Stilley...

Eagles’ Brown to speak on homelessness awareness at DASD event

Sydney Brown Downingtown Area School District (DASD) is excited to welcome Philadelphia Eagles Safety Sydney Brown for a special session on homelessness awareness on Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m. in the Downingtown High School West High auditorium (445 Manor Avenue, Downingtown). Brown’s journey from homelessness to the NFL serves as a remarkable testament to his resilience and determination....

County Survey: Homelessness rose 8% in 2023

The Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) released its 2023 Point-In-Time (PIT) count this week, which shows that 436 people were experiencing homelessness in Chester County on January 25, 2023. This number represents an eight percent increase in homelessness from 2022 when the PIT count was 402. The PIT count is a manual census of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered...

Chesco efforts to cut homelessness succeeding, with rate dropping by 23% since 2020

Members of the team conducting Chester County’s Point in Time count, the annual count mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which took place in January. Results of the County’s Point in Time count showed a 23% reduction in people experiencing homelessness over a two-year period. Chester County’s concerted effort to place more homeless individuals and families into...

Chester County launches Partnership to End Homelessness

Chester County Commissioners present a proclamation recognizing National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to Rob Henry, Administrator, Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness. Pictured left to right: Dolores Colligan, Acting Director, Chester County Department of Community Development; Commissioner Michelle Kichline; Rob Henry; Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz; and Commissioner...

2020 survey shows decline in homelessness in Chester County

This map details the location and number of unsheltered people on Jan. 23 of this year — the annual Point In Time Count for Chester County for those suffering homelessness. WEST CHESTER — A report compiled by the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Decade to Doorways partnership has found that 522 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in  Chester...

Community event to battle homelessness, Aug. 22

WEST CHESTER — Decade to Doorways, Chester County’s initiative to end homelessness, is hosting a free community event on the front lawn of Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High Street in West Chester, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22nd.  Held as part of Decade to Doorways Week of Advocacy and Awareness, the free event will include food, live music, the Humanizing Homelessness...