Annual count shows rise in county’s homeless

Officials say variety of programs aiming to reverse number permanently By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Volunteers and service providers involved in the Point-in-Time Count discuss the results with county workers, including Sarah Trentley (left) and Heather N. Charboneau (right). The teams of more than 100 volunteers had a daunting, annual task on Jan. 29: locating the homeless,...

County seeking volunteers to help ID homeless

Two shifts available for Point in Time Count on Jan. 29 Volunteers in the Point in Time Count will be looking for areas where homeless individuals have set up makeshift living arrangements. The county is seeking volunteers for the annual Point in Time Count, a one-night census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in shelters or sleeping in places not meant for human habitation. This...

Progress seen in plan to end homelessness

County officials applaud collaborative Decades to Doorways initiative By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell (right) discusses the Decades to Doorways initiative, with its administrator, Michael Hackman. For nearly 10 years, 77-year-old Pedro lived in the Kennett Square shadows: hidden in a ramshackle, makeshift structure he called home. Twenty...

Hundreds of homeless in county spur changes

New toll-free number proves popular addition to proactive approach  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times This makeshift housing typifies what volunteers saw during the “point-in-time” count in January that revealed 625 Chester County citizens without a permanent residence. Wielding flashlights and cartons of supplies – clothes, food and blankets – a team of volunteers...