County Unveils Plan to Reduce Homelessness

The Chester County Commissioners today approved a plan, “Decade to Doorways,” to prevent and end homelessness in the county.

Patrick Bokovitz, Director of Chester County Department of Community Development, gave a presentation on the community based 10-year plan. “We are going to maximize current resources and develop new ones, making them as efficient and useful as possible with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness in Chester County,” Bokovitz said.

The plan calls for retooling the current crisis response system with the goal being prevention, diversion and rapid re-housing of the homeless. “We are going to use best practices developed through national and community programs,” Bokovitz said. “We will focus on a client-centered approach and shift funding to accomplish our goals.”

Bokovitz said the county will partner with stakeholders, including the public, to reach goals. “We need to prevent people from experiencing homelessness and promote more affordable and accessible housing options,” he said.

During 2010, the eight county-funded homeless shelters served 1,032 individuals.  There were 556 single men and 134 single women.  There were 223 children (under the age of 18) with 129 children being five years old or younger. 

There were also 91 veterans, which is down from 170 in 2008 and 144 in 2009.