With the winter weather upon us, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and the progress Montgomery County has made in finding solutions to housing our neighbors. With that in mind, I wanted to share these reflections on Montgomery County’s work in acknowledging the housing crisis and advocating for increasing affordable housing and decreasing housing instability.
2024
In December 2024, The US Department of Housing released the findings of the January 2024, Point in time Count Report. Per the report: “The report found more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18% increase from 2023. This report reflects data collected a year ago and does not represent current circumstances, given changed policies, and conditions.” The report is to be commended for both acknowledging the 18% increase in homelessness nationwide and that the figure does not likely reflect the current number of people experiencing homelessness.
Montgomery County’s Participation in the January 2024 Point in Time Count found 435 people living outside or in emergency shelters. The article details the work of “Your Way Home” in Montgomery County conducting the county and their Collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services in increasing public awareness and community action.
Other grassroots efforts included the HealthSpark Foundation’s February 12th Conference, held at Bryn Mawr College: “Meeting the Moment: Taking Action on Homelessness and Affordable Housing in Montgomery County." Over 250 community members, representing a variety of agencies and non-profit organizations, including Coalition4Justice, attended the conference to learn more about the scope of the problem here in Montgomery County, detail their organization’s efforts at supporting people who are unhoused and looking for opportunities for collaboration.
In December 2024, The Health Spark Foundation also hosted a round table discussion with Governor Shapiro’s Administration. The meeting discussed both Governor Shapiro’s administration and the Foundation’s strategic plans and sought input from attendees.
In the first quarter of 2024, The Coalition for Racial Equity and Social Justice held a series of virtual discussions as part of our Community Conversations programs. Community members came together to share concerns, ideas, and information about ways to become involved in moving forward to increase housing support for those facing housing insecurity or decreased access to affordable housing. During these conversations, people shared information about the efforts of faith-based and other non-profit organization to provide shelter for those without housing when the temperature dropped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (i.e., “code blue” shelters”), and legislative efforts, toward increasing affordable housing. /
Before looking ahead to the efforts to combat housing insufficiency in 2025, let us pause and acknowledge, with gratitude, the efforts of our legislators, advocacy organizations, faith-based organizations, other community groups and individuals who have contributed to the creation of housing opportunities.
2025
In these challenging times, it may not be easy to sustain hope and actions to combat the complex causes of housing insecurity. My goal in providing this overview of accomplishments is to encourage our community to participate in finding transformative solutions. Participation comes in many forms: Staying informed and sharing information; sharing resources, such as, contributing gently used coats to local coat drives; providing a meal, volunteering at the shelter, developing a relationship with your state legislators, and Montgomery County Officials to make your priorities and concerns known to them. If there is a code blue shelter in your community, reach out and learn how you can help. Each shelter has unique needs.
For inspiration and information, Policy Link, “a national research and action institute that is working to build a future where all people in the United States of America can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities, “ has recently published a report that provides tools to work toward achieving housing solutions for those in need. Click here review the tool kit published by Policy Link.7b
For further inspiration, review these objectives established for 2025:
Montgomery County’s approved 2025 budget includes housing initiatives and mental health services. Per Jamila Winder, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “We are investing in seasonal and year-round shelters and wraparound services for the unhoused, a first-of-its-kind emergency behavioral health facility, recovery, and prevention efforts, and in the hardworking people that keep this County going. We are also making responsible decisions while leveraging external funding resources. This means we can keep serving our residents with high-quality programs and services and prepare for the continued growth of our County.”
For example, Montgomery County is partnering with the Borough of Lansdale and Resources for Human Development to create year-round, short term, supportive housing, and essential resources for approximately twenty individuals. At this point, a location has been secured for a building that will house around twenty people for an average stay of 25 days in Lansdale. A code blue woman’s shelter in Lansdale is now also operational. These accomplishments are a testament to what communities can do when there is collaboration between individuals and organizations who are committed to be a part of the solution to housing our neighbors. Montgomery Park III, a new affordable senior housing development in Norristown by Elon Development, secured financing and will break ground in 2025. This will provide forty high-quality apartments, with three set aside for seniors exiting homelessness.
HealthSpark Foundation 2025-2029 Strategic Plan includes initiatives to: advance housing solutions to homelessness and affordable housing; address racial equity and justice; and identify and amplify community priorities and solutions.
Finally, for inspiration, see the stories at Montgomery County Homes for All Website.
In conclusion, the power of collaboration can clearly be seen in these efforts. Collaboration can come in the form of establishing initiatives and partnerships, increasing awareness of initiatives and partnerships, supporting local grassroots initiatives in your community or sharing your story or experiences with others. Thanks to all the individuals, area agencies and grassroots organization who continue to ensure that affordable housing and shelter are accessible to every resident in Montgomery County and whose efforts at finding lasting housing solutions and successes are reflected here.
What to learn more?
Two public hearings, sponsored by the Montgomery County of Housing and Community Development are coming up in March. These are opportunities to gather information on the need for affordable housing and opportunities to create solutions to fill these needs:
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 1:00 pm
DeKalb Center Norristown
1430 DeKalb Street
3rd Floor Cabinet Room
Norristown, PA 19404
Or register here to attend virtually:
Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Health and Human Services
364 East King Street
2nd Floor Conference Room
Pottstown, PA 19464
Or register here to attend virtually:
Interested parties may attend the meetings and present any comments. If you have a special need and require an accommodation in order to participate, please call Kayleigh Silver at 610-278-3540. Advance notice of 5 days in required for sign-language or non-English speaking interpreter services, at no cost to the requester.
References:
1 https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/hud_no_24_327 December 27th , 2024
2 Posted Dec 11, 2024 at https://patch.com/pennsylvania/norristown/montgomery-co-conducting-count-homeless-population
4 https://healthspark.org/news/healthspark-hosts-shapiro-administrations-montgomery-county-pa-housing-action-plan-roundtable. Dec 18 th , 2024
5 https://www.coalition4justice.com/post/community-connections-charting-a-path-from-words-to-actions, updated April 15, 2024.
6 https://www.coalition4justice.com/post/housing-the-homeless-in-montgomery-county-pennsylvania, updated April 15, 2024
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