Every other week, I’ll tell you about the phenomenal work the City’s Office of Homeless Services and our partners are doing to move people from homeless to home.
December 19, 2018
Take a pause this holiday season to help Philadelphians in need.
Organizations that support families, provide meals and shelter, and others need your help. Here’s how to get involved!
Season of Helping
Looking for an opportunity to help other Philadelphians this holiday season? Support #ResilientPHL by donating to one of its nonprofit partners! T
he City is working with Kensington residents, local businesses, and others to help the community. Your contributions help our nonprofit partners save lives, support families, prevent overdoses, and much more. Here is an update on our progress, and more information on volunteering and donating.
Emergency Disaster Services
You may have heard about the devastating fire at Overbook Gardens. The 5-alarm fire completely consumed the building, and dozens of residents were displaced.
More than 40 people are being temporarily housed at West Philadelphia High School through Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services.
Donations of clothing or household goods can be made only at Salvation Army stores at 4555 Pechin Street in Philadelphia, or 66 Chester Pike in Collingdale.
Financial donations can be through their website.
Homeless Services Providers
Your donations matter! Our providers need you to help provide comfort to people experiencing homelessness during this holiday season.
Do you have warm, gently used items of clothing to donate, or want to volunteer at a housing facility?
Check out our brand new donation page on the Homeless Services website. Thank you for your generosity!
Partner Special Events
Homeless Memorial Day– 12/20
Senior Law Center – 41st Annual Gala – 3/16/19
Women Against Abuse – Dish It Up – 3/21/19
ACHIEVEAbility – Food for Thought – 3/30/19
December 5, 2018
Resilient PHL Going Strong!
More progress! The City is still saving lives and improving the neighborhood! Check out the reports for the week ending 11/30.
Over the past two weeks we worked on a new policy to guide our work in preventing future encampments, prepared for the launch of a Safe Routes to Schools pilot, met with organizations interested in bringing health services to the area, and planned for the large-scale volunteer community clean-up on 12/8.
Check out the full update here.
Preventing Homelessness Through Shelter Diversion
Does everyone who shows up at our front door need to go to shelter?
Our goal is to see if households requesting emergency housing have a safe alternative.
Sarah Chess (holding booklet) from the Cleveland Mediation Center provided state of the art training for OHS providers and staff on homeless diversion and prevention through resources, assessment and referral.
Thanks to everyone who participated for their role in stabilizing families experiencing homelessness!
Yay Drueding!
Big congratulations to partner organization Dreuding Center! They were chosen as one of ten GSK Impact Award winners.
The award recognizes non-profits for innovative and transformational programs that make our communities healthier and comes with a $40,000 unrestricted grant.
Partner Special Events
Episcopal Community Services – 12/10 – Cookies and Cocktails
Episcopal Community Services – 12/16 – Liebesfreud Christmantime Concert
Senior Law Center – 41st Annual Gala – 3/16/19
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
November 20, 2018
First Code Blue
The City called its first Code Blue of the season on Thursday. A Code Blue is called when the National Weather Service predicts wind chills of 20 degrees or lower or precipitation with temperatures below 32 degrees.
Code Blue allows the City to keep people without homes safe in extreme weather. It activates extended deployment of 24-hour Homeless Outreach teams, and access to vacant beds within the shelter system. Clients in emergency housing can remain indoors during the day.
Please call Homeless Outreach at 215-232-1984 any time you see someone who is homeless and sleeping on the street. Homeless outreach teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope held its second annual fundraiser on 11/1. Over 300 people gathered to celebrate their work. The Hub is a major success story in the City’s efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. In its first seven months of operation, it has touched over 2,500 different people through more than 41,000 visits. Our favorite statistic states that over 60,000 cups of Wawa coffee and tea were served! We are proud to partner with them as they continue to surpass expectations and help our most vulnerable neighbors.
Philadelphia Resilience Project Update
On Friday City officials met in Kensington to give Mayor Kenney an update on the progress of the Philadelphia Resilience Project. Homeless Services met its immediate goals for the reducing the unsheltered population by the 11/16 deadline. Some of the goals include: developing a by-name list of unsheltered persons for community outreach; identifying a provider to operate a short-term navigation center; and developing ways to bring public and health services to the neighborhood. Check out the full update here:
Landlord Education
Homeless Services kicked off its new Landlord Engagement Initiative on 11/14 with a workshop on designing a system that will best serve tenants exiting homessness. Landlords can help Homeless Services to move forward in its commitment to provide affordable housing for people exiting homelessness. For more information about this initiative, contact Ebonye Williams, Landlord Engagement Specialist, at 215-686-7182. We need landlords to end homelessness!
Partner Special Events
Broad Street Ministry – Thanksgiving Dinner – 11/21
ODAAT – 19th Annual Thanksigiving Dinner – 11/22
Dignity Housing – #GivingTuesday Happy Hour – 11/27
Senior Law Center – 41st Annual Gala – 3/16/19
November 6, 2018
Special Edition
Philadelphia Resilience Project
On October 3 Mayor Kenney signed an executive order creating the Opioid Emergency Response Group, a special team of 35 City agencies and offices, focused on tackling the opioid crisis in Philadelphia.
Right now the efforts are focused on Kensington and the surrounding neighborhoods, but the order covers the entire city.
More detailed information, including project goals can be found here.
For two weeks, members of this group met at the Philadelphia Office Emergency Mangement (OEM) headquarters to strategize, share information. The project has seven mission areas:
1) clearing major encampments
2) reducing criminal activity
3) reducing the unsheltered population
4) reducing trash
5) reducing overdoses
6) increasing treatment options
7) mobilizing community resources
On November 1 we participated in the Philadelphia Resilience Project’s Kensington Cleanup.
Reducing trash and litter in this area is one of the many ways the City is combating the opioid epidemic.
We’ll also clear encampments on Frankford Avenue.
Efforts to clear the Emerald Street Encampment will begin in mid-January.
Our long-term strategy is to prevent encampments from relocating or reforming. Sign up for weekly updates here.
Philadelphia Resilience Project Update
The first official convening of community leaders in Kensington will take place on November 16 at 9 am at:
Visitation Community Center, 2646 Kensington Avenue.
This is a chance to hear from members of the Kenney administration about the work they’re doing with the Philadelphia Resilience Project and the progress they’ve made so far. They’ll also talk about how the City can partner with all stakeholders to build a strong relationship that better serves Kensington.
Partner Special Events
PathWaysPa – 40 Anniversary Family Reunion – 11/8
Gaudenzia, Inc. – 50th Anniversary Celebration – 11/13
Bethesda Project – Homelessness 201: Winter Edition – 11/13
Bethesda Project – 2nd Annual Casserole Cook Off – 11/14
Project Home – Raise the Roof Party – 11/14
October 24, 2018
Hub of Hope Update
The Hub of Hope, which opened in January 2018, is doing amazing work. On average they see between 350-400 people every day. During their first six months of operation they’ve:
- Had more than 41,000 visits from 2,500 unduplicated individuals
- Had more than 1,200 case management visits
- Facilitated over 1,240 placements into shelters, treatment, safe havens and other residences for over 500 unique individuals
- Had people take over 2,400 showers and wash 1,300 loads of laundry
These numbers underscore the need for daytime engagement centers for people living on the street.
Join the Hub of Hope on November 1 for its second annual fundraiser, and help them fuel positive outcomes for people who are not housed.
Click here for more information.
Youth Lightning Rounds
On October 15, 30 people buzzed around The Hive for the Youth Advocacy Lightning Rounds event. They heard from youth leaders about youth homelessness, and how anyone can join the fight to end it. Members of the Young Adult Leadership Committee (YALC), Youth Healers Stand Up, and the Juvenile Law Center’s Youth Fostering Change and Juveniles for Justice programs spoke about the solutions they want to see. We loved it!
Yay Babies Award
Omari Bye, Executive Director of ACTS, won the first Yay Babies award from the People’s Emergency Center Building Early Links for Learning (BELL) Project.
He’s all about making sure that young children in shelter get high quality early education. He does it by creating an atmosphere at ACTS that makes it a priority.
The shelter houses 55 parents and 98 children, but Omari gets it done by connecting personally with each family. Read more about his work with the BELL project here.
Librarians Learn
Kudos to the Office of Homeless Services and Valley Youth House!
Over the summer they trained Free Library staff (400+ staff from 54 branches) on identifying and supporting youth experiencing homelessness.
The training gave an overview of youth homelessness, and provided strategies to make libraries more welcoming for youth in a housing crisis.
Young people often go to libraries to use computers, get away from the streets or find resources like the Valley Youth House Synergy Project outreach team.
A great example of cross-system collaboration!
Veterans Multi-Service Center – Women Veterans Town Hall and Expo – 10/27
One Day at a Time – RecoverED Grand Opening – 10/30
Project HOME – Hub of Hope Benefit – 11/1
PathWaysPa – 40 Anniversary Family Reunion – 11/8
Gaudenzia, Inc. – 50th Anniversary Celebration – 11/13
Project Home – Raise the Roof Party – 11/14
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
October 10, 2018
Opioid Emergency Response Executive Order
Kensington and the surrounding neighborhoods are facing extreme challenges related to the opioid crisis. Drug overdoses claimed more than 1200 lives in 2017 and more than 500 lives so far in 2018.
In the summer of 2017 there were approximately 900 unsheltered individuals in Philadelphia, 400 of whom were living in Kensington and Fairhill.
By the summer of 2018, there were approximately 1400 unsheltered individuals in Philadelphia, 700 of whom were living in those neighborhoods. Nearly 150 people are camped on Frankford Avenue and Emerald Street alone. Smaller encampments are spread throughout the community.
The crisis has created unacceptable conditions for Kensington and the surrounding neighborhood. On October 3 Mayor Kenney declared a disaster in Kensington. He declared that a new approach is necessary to tackle these issues, new partnerships must be forged, and new resources brought to bear. The Opioid Emergency Response Group was created and its objectives were specified.
An emergency operations center will be set up in the neighborhood. The center will operate for 3 months; the emergency operations are expected to last at least 9 months. Some broad objectives include: reducing homelessness and overdose deaths; reducing trash and litter; reducing crime, and reducing open air drug use and sales. Seven city departments including the Office of Homeless Services will coordinate efforts to improve conditions.
The Opioid Emergency Response Group shall communicate actions supporting the objectives required in Section 3 to the public, the press, and to elected officials on a weekly basis.
Roadmap to Jobs
One stop along The Roadmap to Homes is to connect people to employment. Most people who have experienced homelessness need and want a living wage job to keep their homes. Homeless Services recently attended the HIRE! Philly Job and Resource Fair to connect with employers and service providers. Over 1,900 people attended, and many of them were offered jobs on the spot! Our plan is to create partnerships with the workforce development systems to connect more people to job opportunities.
Read more about it in the plan!
Celebration Day
We’re excited to announce that Philly won the True Colors Fund’s True Community Award! The award recognizes a community that’s going above and beyond to end homelessness for LGBTQ youth. We were selected for our work on the 2018 Pride Challenge and training over 600 staff in providing inclusive and affirming services for LGBTQ youth, and other community-wide efforts including elevating youth voice. We couldn’t be prouder of this achievement! Click here to read more!
Partner Special Events
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Lutheran Settlement House – “Men Can” Rally Day – 10/12
Bethesda Project – 4th Annual #bethesdaproject5K – 10/14
Valley Youth House – Always Bet on Youth Casino Night – 10/19
Gaudenzia, Inc. – 50th Anniversary Celebration – 11/13
PathWaysPa – 40 Anniversary Family Reunion – 11/8
Project Home – Raise the Roof Party – 11/14
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
September 25, 2018
“There are No Throwaway People” — Mayor Jim Kenney
On September 12 the City released Roadmap to Homes and launched the Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness (ICH) to a capacity crowd at City Hall.
Attendees at the plan launch heard people with lived experience praise the commitment to increased housing resources, and a system that better serves our most vulnerable neighbors.
Mayor Kenney stepped up and spoke up, “There are no throwaway people.”
That’s why implementation of this plan is so important. Moving people from homeless to housed will give them new opportunities, dignity, health and economic stability.
Housed people are not homeless!
Getting On the Road
Roadmap to Homes, Philadelphia’s bold new five-year plan for the homeless assistance system, shows a new resolve to tackle the complexity of homelessness. This is a plan by and for our community of stakeholders.
Stakeholders in Philadelphia’s homeless assistance system include: city government and staff; people with lived experience of homelessness; civic leaders; business leaders; and leaders of key systems outside government such as education and healthcare.
Our overarching goal is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. We’ve set targets for each goal and benchmarks to measure our progress.
Successful execution of this plan will transform the system of care. It’ll make the system better for the people we serve as well as those providing services.
Here’s our action plan: expand resources; integrate systems; establish a transparent and inclusive quality improvement process; communicate more effectively; and connect people to jobs.
All stakeholders in the homeless assistance system pledge to commit to uphold the values of this plan, align their work with the priorities of this plan, and play an active role in achieving our goals.
We invite you to take a deeper dive into each of our priorities, then sign up to join our efforts to make the experience of homelessness less traumatic for individuals and families.
Partner Special Events
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Lutheran Settlement House – Salud 2018 – 9/27
Women Against Abuse – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Launch – 10/3
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
Hire Philly Coalition – Job and Resource Fair – 10/4
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Lutheran Settlement House – “Men Can” Rally Day – 10/12
Bethesda Project – 4th Annual #bethesdaproject5K – 10/14
Valley Youth House – Always Bet on Youth Casino Night – 10/19
Gaudenzia, Inc. – 50th Anniversary Celebration – 11/13
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
September 12, 2018
Philadelphia Housing Action Plan
A new housing plan to be released in October calls for the city to produce and preserve a combined 100,000 units by 2028. This would be 60% more than the number of housing units produced over the last 10 years. Most of the units would be obtained by preserving existing housing stock through repair and rehab. We’re happy to see that the plan emphasizes filling the need at the lower income bracket. Get more details here.
99 New Affordable Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities
And the good news just keeps coming! HUD just announced the Section 811 awards and the Philadelphia Housing Authority got 99 vouchers totaling $873,953. The vouchers will help people with disabilities who are transitioning out of shelters or institutions move into permanent affordable housing. We are pleased to partner with PHA on making these vouchers available. Read more about it here.
The Kids Are Alright
Do you know what Philly youth care about? Hint: it’s a lot more than IG filters and Snapchat! Youth-led advocacy groups in our city are spearheading social change around some of the most pressing issues in our community, including youth homelessness and intersecting issues such as foster care, juvenile justice and anti-poverty work. Here’s your chance to hear from some of these advocates on 10/15 at the Youth Advocacy Lightning Rounds event. You don’t want to miss this! Read more and register to attend.
Strategic Plan
We’re releasing Philadelphia’s next Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness! Join the Office of Homeless Services and the members of the newly-created Philadelphia Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness on September 12 for the release of the 5-year plan to prevent and permanently end homelessness in our city. Join us on 9/12, 3-4 pm at the Mayor’s Reception Room (Room 202) in City Hall. Hear about our community’s commitment to the priorities that will guide our work.
Partner Special Events
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Women Against Abuse – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Launch – 10/3
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Lutheran Settlement House – “Men Can” Rally Day – 10/12
Bethesda Project – 4th Annual #bethesdaproject5K – 10/14
Valley Youth House – Always Bet on Youth Casino Night – 10/19
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
August 30, 2018
General Assistance is Back!
Applications are being accepted NOW for General Assistance (GA)! On July 18, 2018 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court voted 7-0 to repeal Act 80 which eliminated GA six years ago. This cash assistance program provides a minimal income for low-income people with disabilities. Tell people to apply now! Thanks to Community Legal Services (CLS) for their leadership in working to restore this vital program. Download a flyer from CLS for more information.
YALC on the Move
The Young Adult Leadership Committee (YALC) recently presented at the first annual Heal the Future conference, a youth-led conference on housing and social justice. They talked about how youth can change their communities, and how adults can be their allies. We’re excited to have them as the Youth Advisory Board for the Continuum of Care and the Office of Homeless Services. Pictured above are 3 members of this awesome group (L to R): Yehudit Toure, Jahleel Harlem, and James Thompson, Jr.
Good News from the Encampment Pilot
Hope lives! Here’s a great success story from the Kensington Encampment pilot project. Read about how the City is helping a community in the grips of the opioid crisis. Read about Salvatore Colon’s decision to accept the City’s offer of treatment and shelter and how his life changed. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are headed in the right direction.
Release of 5-Year Strategic Plan and the Philadelphia Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness
We’re so excited! We’re ready to release Philadelphia’s next Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, and to welcome the Philadelphia Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness (ICH). The plan commits to preventing homelessness and reducing the number of days individuals are homeless. ICH will ensure that it’s successful.
Join us for the launch on 9/12, 3-4 pm at the Mayor’s Reception Room (Room 202) in City Hall. Register to let us know you’ll be there!
Partner Special Events
Mental Health Partnerships – Almost Home Mural Dedication – 8/28
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Women Against Abuse – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Launch – 10/3
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Lutheran Settlement House – “Men Can” Rally Day – 10/12
Bethesda Project – 4th Annual #bethesdaproject5K – 10/14
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
August 14, 2018
Taking the First Step
First Step Staffing came to Philly in early 2018 with plans to employ people transitioning out of homelessness. They expected to employ 500 people in the first 12 months of operation. They crushed that goal by employing 791 people to date; approximately 400 of them are formerly homeless. Employees make an average wage of $10/hour. First Step is looking for employers who would like to take advantage of the staffing business they offer. Jobs are one of the best ways to help move people out of homelessness and First Step is workin’ it!
Serenity Court Now Open
On July 17 the Public Health Management Corporation opened Serenity Court, a new medical respite facility for medically frail homeless individuals recovering from surgery, physical illness, or injury. Operating in partnership with the Office of Homeless Services, DePaul USA and other providers, Serenity Court provides primary medical and behavioral health care and case management services. Read about this new life-saving resource. For more information or to make referrals, please contact Gina Gentile, RN, Medical Respite Manager at 215-684-3430.
Hub of Hope Update
The Hub set aside $150,000 from a SEPTA fundraiser to help other organizations helping people experiencing homelessness add showers and laundry facilities. We are thrilled to report that those funds are being spent briskly! Philadelphia FIGHT, Bethesda Project, Veterans Multi-Service Center, and One Day at a Time have been busy renovating and expanding bathrooms and installing laundry facilities. Two facilities opened in July! Special thanks to SEPTA for a successful fundraiser that made this work possible.
Homeless Services FY 17 Annual Report
Have you seen From Homeless to Housed, the Office of Homeless Services 2017 Annual Report? There’s something here for all our stakeholders. Not sure if you’re a stakeholder? Here’s how to judge: if the quality of our performance can make good things happen for you, your organization, or community. Read about our work in FY 17 to make homelessness in Philadelphia rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Partner Special Events
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Women Against Abuse – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Launch – 10/3
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
August 1, 2018
2018 Pride Challenge Wrap-Up
We are proud to share the results of the 2018 Pride Challenge to learn how to better support LGBT individuals who are experiencing homelessness. 608 staff from across Philly’s homeless service system completed the Challenge in June. Eleven organizations had more than 80% of their staff complete the challenge! Congratulations to the Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) who won the drawing for the staff pizza party. Check out the special message announcing the winner of the national challenge!
Photos from left: Cheering the Winner!; Welcome to the Celebration; Homeless Services Team Behind the Challenge: Tara Guadin, MaryBeth Gonzales, Jessica Sones, and Roberta Cancellier; VMC Staff Pizza Party
Doing Well and Doing Good
Employment is the most meaningful way to move people from homeless to housed, and a great way for Philly businesses to help fight homelessness. The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and First Step Staffing have partnered to create a pipeline of employers who are willing to hire people who are homeless. Other local companies are leading citywide initiatives and working with service providers to do good while doing well. Read more here.
Partners in the Spotlight
Check out this great article on partner organization SELF, Inc., and its work with Philadelphians who are experiencing homelessness. Michael Hinson, Executive Director (below), talks about the many different faces of homelessness, their holistic approach to their work, and his desire to dispel the myth that people without homes are not real people with real families and real lives.
One Day at a Time’s (ODAAT) Executive Director, Mel Wells, was recently interviewed on his organization’s work with people in recovery. ODAAT is dedicated to serving low-income people in the Philadelphia area experiencing homelessness, alcohol and drug-addiction, as well as those with HIV/AIDS. It’s honor to work with them.
ODAAT’s Mel Wells (L) with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and City Council President Darrell Clarke
PHL Participatory Design Lab Update
The Office of Homeless Services is improving the City’s Centralized Intake, Diversion and Prevention services with the help of the PHL Participatory Design Lab. The Lab was created with funding from the Knight Foundation, and they’ve been busy helping us identify service-related needs and gather ideas for improvements to the system. Can you believe that there have been 160 hours of engagement with 172 stakeholders? Their input will guide us to create a better system to serve people. Read more here.
One Day at a Time – Back2School Block Party – 8/11
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
DePaul USA – Feels Like Home Gala – 10/12
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
July 18, 2018
From Homeless to Housed
The Office of Homeless Services 2017 Annual Report From Homeless to Housed was just released!
Our first-ever annual report explains what we do to stabilize families, save lives, and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. We’re excited to share our achievements!
Our mission is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring for the City of Philadelphia. Four principles guide our work – housing first, housing-focused, person-centered, and prioritization based on need. These principles help us move people more effectively and efficiently from homeless to housed.
Between these pages are the highlights of our achievements from the past year. Our impact in 2017 sets the stage for the future. Read all about it!
Homeless Advocacy Project – Free Birth Certificate Clinic – 7/26
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Education Law Center – Annual Celebration – 9/26
Share Food Program – Party in the Warehouse – 9/27
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
June 21, 2018
The Dream Team – Celebrating Saving Lives!
Winter Providers Celebrate Success
We just had our first Code Red of the summer season. But, who could forget winter 2018? Let’s take a look back at what Ol’ Man Winter dished out:
- 42 Code Blue days – first one called November 10
- January’s bomb cyclone
- The coldest New Year’s Day in Philly in 100 years
- Four Nor’easters in March
Our providers and outreach teams worked tirelessly, moving mountains to get people off the streets and into shelter.
The winter initiative is designed to make sure no one who is homeless dies from the cold weather. We’re happy to report that no lives were lost on the street due to exposure in 2018.
Here’s how our teams helped our most vulnerable neighbors cope with Mother Nature:
- Performed 39 Code Blue involuntary commitments
- Engaged over 3,500 unique individuals
- Made close to 12,000 contacts
- Made close to 1,900 placements (in shelter, treatment, safe haven, etc.) for close to 1,300 individuals
(some people received multiple placements) - Placement rate increased from last winter
- Data entry time improved dramatically from last winter
- Response calls increased by 30%
- Partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation to open a warming site to provide temporary shelter for homeless people in Kensington. The neighborhood has the second highest number of unstably housed individuals in the city.
Because of their work there was a 9% increase in winter beds used, and an 8% increase in the number of total individuals from FY17 to FY18.
Whatever the weather, whether it’s a Code Blue or Red, these folks are solidly committed to saving lives and last week we thanked and celebrated them.
Big shout outs to our partners: Community Behavioral Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, 1260 Mission First Housing, Bethesda Project, Broad Street Ministry, Horizon House, Mental Health Partnership, One Day at a Time, Pathways to Housing PA, Prevention Point, SELF Inc., Gaudenzia, Resources for Human Development (RHD), and Project Home.
Thank you for the saving lives of our most vulnerable citizens.
Tim Sheahan-DBHIDS, Carol Thomas-Project Home, Dave Holloman-Homeless Services, Sam Santiago-Project Home
Fred Gigliotti-Homeless Services with Joyce Terry-Gaudenzia
Bruce Johnson, Dave Holloman and Liz Hersh of Homeless Services, Don Haas-Brandywine Realty Trust (host), and Roberta Cancellier-Homeless Services
Tanya Baker with Project Home Outreach enjoying the festivities
Public Health Management Corporation – Serenity Court Opening – 7/17
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
June 5, 2018
Encampment Pilot Update
The City completed a 30-day pilot to provide emergency housing and treatment to campers in two of the opioid homeless encampments in Kensington on May 30.
We’re happy to report that about 135 people from the encampments came in to get shelter and/or treatment, which is fantastic!
Although we saw a lot of successes, there is still a lot of work to be done. Click here for more information about the pilot.
100 Day Street Homelessness Challenge Success
Since the 100 Day Street Homelessness Challenge began in 2016, we have helped 593 chronically street homeless people get long-term housing.
Special thanks to our partners Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHiDS),Community Behavioral Health (CBH), 1260/Mission First Housing, Bethesda Project, Broad Street Ministry, Horizon House, Mental Health Partnerships, One Day at a Time, Pathways to Housing PA,
Prevention Point, and Project HOME for their dedication and hard work!
The 2018 Pride Challenge is Here!
This month the Office of Homeless Services is partnering with the True Colors Fund on a community-wide LGBTQ cultural inclusivity challenge to develop a common understanding of LGBTQ youth homelessness. LGBTQ youth are over-represented among homeless young adults.
Read more about the True Colors Fund and take the challenge here.
Meet Emerging Leader Kee Tobar
Shout out to Kee Tobar, a fellow with the Stoneleigh Foundation Emerging Leader Fellowship. Kee led the Juvenile Justice Working Group for the 100 Day Homelessness Challenge.
The group’s goals were to get more emergency housing for youth, bring the youth voice to policy creation, and get funding for the youth community navigator. They did it all!
Read about Kee here. Read about our Youth Initiative here.
Partner Spotlight
Gaudenzia is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1968, it is estimated that they have provided treatment to more than 200,000 individuals affected by addiction.
All the best for continued success!
Valley Youth House was selected as the first ever Outstanding Nonprofit Organization by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award will be presented on 6/13.
Thanks to our awesome partner on their work changing the lives of youth and families!
Women Against Abuse (WAA) was selected for the Pew Fund Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative to learn how to better use data to share their story with supporters and improve the services they offer. Congratulations on getting this opportunity!
WAA was also awarded a four-year grant from the Oak Foundation to create an economic empowerment program for their clients.
The program will help clients achieve their individual economic empowerment goals.
WAA’s goal is to combine its expertise in domestic violence with that of local workforce developers to create a “pipeline” to living wage jobs for survivors of domestic violence.
Provider Special Events
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
May 24, 2018
Special ENCAMPMENT PILOT UPDATE
Promising News from the Encampment Pilot
Opioid-related homeless encampments present one of the most complex situations Philadelphia has encountered in recent history.
The existing encampments are in a densely residential neighborhood, which not only creates an unsafe and unhealthy environment for residents, but creates tension.
The City launched a pilot on April 30th to offer people experiencing homeless who have opioid use disorder immediate access to treatment and low-barrier housing.
The pilot is serving two tunnels: Kensington and Tulip streets north of Lehigh.
The pilot is getting promising results:
- Nearly 100 people have come in – so far.
- About 40% of those have gone into treatment. As a system, this is as close as we have ever come to treatment on demand.
- The pilot brings services to the site and offers immediate access, authorization and transportation to treatment. It’s working.
- More people from the camps went into treatment in the first two weeks of the pilot than in the previous six months.
- People want help – when we offer what they need and want! The new Prevention Point navigation respite is already full.
- There are still low-barrier respite beds available at ODAAT for people in the pilot.
- Low barrier means people can enter without ID, bring their belongings and come as a community if they choose. They can’t use on site, but can come and go.
- Daytime services are available 7AM-7PM at Prevention Point. They are seeing record numbers of people for meals and services.
- There is drug treatment available and we are working to get people in. Many advocates and neighbors are helping.
- Police have ramped up enforcement in the area to accompany the offer of services.
- Many people who hang out under the tunnels don’t sleep there.
We know that the pilot doesn’t address the whole problem, but it is getting promising results. It is showing what works – people are coming in.
Kate Perch, housing coordinator at Prevention Point said, “When people have a stable space to sleep in every night, when people know that their belongings are safe, their person is safe, it’s a lot easier to engage in some of those more difficult conversations. About things like treatment and housing.”
Click here for the latest WHYY story. Click here for the latest Inquirer story.
Click here to learn about the crisis of opioid driven homelessness and the pilot. Click here for details about the pilot in Spanish.
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
May 22, 2018
Teresa Cherry (right) at the Homeless Services Charrette December 2017
Shout Out to Ms. Cherry
Shout out to Teresa Cherry! She’s the Homeless Services Children’s Program Coordinator and a strong education advocate.
Her mantra is “education is the greatest tool to combat homelessness.” She’s part of the Building Early Links for Learning (BELL) team and provides great insight
into linking the homeless housing and early childhood education systems.
Click here to read more about the BELL team’s work. Thanks, Teresa for your dedication to children!
Promising Practices
The Family Service Provider Network (FSPN) just released Version 2 of Promising Practices for Philadelphia’s Students Who Experience Homelessness.
This resource can help family service providers build strong partnerships with schools to help homeless students achieve academic success. Get it here.
Meals & More Grants
Mayor Kenney just announced the launch of new Meals & More grants to bring volunteer meal providers to the Hub of Hope.
Help bring meals to our food insecure neighbors! Deadline to apply is 6/8. You can get more information and apply here.
There’s also a public information session on 5/22.
EARU News
The Emergency Assistance and Response Unit (EARU) information line has a new phone number: 215-686-7177 and address: 1430 Cherry Street at the Appletree Family Center (AFC).
EARU moved to AFC in January to provide homeless prevention services at our front door. Click here for more about prevention and diversion services.
Provider Special Events
Valley Youth House – Annual Youth Art Show – 5/30
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia – Combatting Homelessness Through Economic Empowerment – 5/30
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
Ready Resources
Where to Turn | Meal Schedule | Substance Abuse Treatment
May 8, 2018
Eviction Task Force Draft Report Issued
The Mayor’s Eviction Task Force issued its draft report for public comment on 4/2. Check it out here. The Public Comment Session is 5/8 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd., Suite 1450. Submit written comments to evictiontaskforce@phila.gov by 5/11 at 5 pm.
You can help the City reduce the number of evictions and protect low-income people in Philly!
It’s A Good Day
Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia just ran a great story on how the city is fighting homelessness. Director Liz Hersh stopped by to talk with the hosts about the size of the problem, and share information on how to help people experiencing homelessness. Check out the video here.
Good Food for All Conference
Our Food Access Collaborative is participating in the Free Library’s “Good Food for All” conference on May 10.
We’re on a panel with Project HOME, Broad Street Ministry, Muslims Serve, and Philabundance to discuss providing meals to the Hub of Hope.
This event will be held at the Parkway Central Library. If you’d like to attend click here.
Serenity Court Opens
Two weeks ago we announced the opening of Serenity Court, the new homeless medical respite program established by Public Health Management Corporation.
We’re very excited about it, and want to tell you more. Check it out here.
Power Collaboration
Community Legal Services (CLS) gave Homeless Services a huge shout out. CLS attorneys are talking about winning cases because their clients got rental assistance from OHS.
In cases where a tenant’s subsidized housing is on the line, funding from OHS and legal representation can prevent homelessness. We’re proud of this powerful collaboration!
Youth Leaders Needed!
The Young Adult Leadership Committee (YALC) is looking for new members!
If you are age 16 – 24 and have experienced homelessness, you can help make sure the young adult voice is heard when decisions and policies are made that impact people like you! Applications are due 6/8 and can be found here with more information.
Provider Special Events
Juvenile Law Center – Leadership Prize Celebration – 5/9
Free Library of Philadelphia – Good Food for All Conference – 5/10
One Step Away – Champions Celebration – 5/10
Lutheran Settlement House – Women of Courage-10 Year Anniversary of Jane Addams House – 5/18
Valley Youth House – Annual Youth Art Show – 5/30
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia – Combatting Homelessness Through Economic Empowerment – 5/30
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
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Ready Resources |
April 24, 2018
Philadelphia Works Helps Get the Job Done
Homeless Services is excited to announce a great new partnership with Philadelphia Works that will connect job opportunities to people experiencing homelessness.
Philly Works will provide services at the Appletree Homeless Response Center to help people increase income and ultimately sustain housing in the community.
Check out our newest partner here.
Testimony Speaks to Value of Investment in Homeless Services
The Office of Homeless Services presented its FY 19 Budget Testimony to Philadelphia City Council. Director Liz Hersh testified about our work on opioid-driven homelessness;
focusing resources on the most vulnerable; and partnerships to help families and youth – the invisible homeless.
Read the full testimony and learn about our plans for FY 19 here.
Serenity Court Medical Respite Opens
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) announces the opening of Serenity Court.
This facility will address a growing need for a safe and stable place for homeless individuals to recover from illness after a hospital stay.
People who are medically fragile are regularly discharged from hospitals to shelters, and shelter is unable to provide adequate care.
This new strategy is pioneered by PHMC and OHS and funded by HUD.
Referrals can be made Monday – Friday 7 am to 3 pm at 215-817-9864 or ggentile@phmc.org.
Meal Service Expanded
We’re happy to announce that meal service at the Hub of Hope has expanded! Beginning April 7 dinner is being served on Friday and Saturday.
Would you like to be a meal provider? If so, please contact jo.lin@phila.gov.
Hunger has increased in Philly while declining nationwide, mostly due to the city’s high poverty rate.
It’s hard to be poor and hungry, but here’s a resource that can help.
Provider Spotlight
This week’s spotlight shines on two of our awesome partner organizations that help people experiencing homelessness.
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission
A private, faith-based organization which is the third oldest rescue mission in the country.
They provide safe beds and meals to homeless guests 365 days a year.
People’s Emergency Center
Their Building Early Links for Learning (BELL) Project was launched in 2016 and is still going strong.
Its simple goal is to help prepare young children living in emergency housing for success in kindergarten.
Coming Events
Lutheran Settlement House – Women’s Empowerment Panel – 4/26
Bethesda Project – 21st Annual Party and Auction – 5/3
Veterans Multi-Service Center – Veteran’s Fiesta – 5/4
Dignity Housing – 30th Anniversary Celebration – 5/5
ACHIEVEAbility – Food for Thought – 5/5
Juvenile Law Center – Leadership Prize Celebration – 5/9
Free Library of Philadelphia – Good Food for All Conference – 5/10
One Step Away – Champions Celebration – 5/10
Lutheran Settlement House – Women of Courage-10 Year Anniversary of Jane Addams House – 5/18
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
Mission First Housing Group – Welcome Home 2018 – 10/4
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Ready Resources |
April 10, 2018
Lease Signing for HOME$200
HOME$200
We started a pilot program in December that’s been busy moving people from the streets into homes. HOME$200 is a shallow rent program for people living below the poverty line. Results: 30 families will sign leases within the next two weeks, 30 singles have been moved from emergency shelter, recovery houses, and safe havens, and 20 people who have been in shelter for long stays will be moving into their homes soon. Housed people are not homeless!
CEA-BHRS Update
CEA-BHRS ensures that we use the resources in our homeless housing system to end housing crises more quickly. It knocks down barriers for people to get and maintain housing. People will know exactly where to go to get help, and their housing needs will be assessed in a more consistent manner. Read more about CEA-BHRS here.
To date 280 people have been trained in CEA-BHRS policies and procedures, and over 800 housing assessments were completed! Has your organization attended training? The schedule for CEA-BHRS training sessions can be found here.
Hub of Hope Update
The newly expanded Hub of Hope opened January 31 — and they see an average 325-375 people per day! In two months the Hub had a total 414 placements into shelters, safe havens, and treatment centers. The success stories behind the statistics are heartening. A man who is wheelchair-bound and was street homeless for five years took a shower for the first time in months. Another man who visited the Hub for coffee for years but never talked with a case manager or staff accepted placement into a Safe Haven. Thanks to Hub staff, the Outreach Coordination Center and other partner organizations for creating and managing this amazing engagement center.
Provider Spotlight
This week’s spotlight shines on two of our awesome partner organizations that help people experiencing homelessness.
One Step Away (OSA)
This newspaper gives a voice to people living on the street. You’ve probably seen the vendors in neon green vests around Philly. OSA creates opportunities for homeless people to earn money. Next time you see a vendor – buy a paper!
Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP)
HAP offers free legal help for homeless people. They can help with child custody, credit issues, landlord-tenant issues and access to public benefits.
CORRECTION – Bethesda Beacon
Bethesda Beacon, a new daytime engagement and resource center for chronic street homeless people at Liberti Church, will be coming soon. The center is in the planning stages and not yet open for services. We mistakenly reported that there is an open house on April 11. Please note that there is not an open house for the public tomorrow. You can click here to learn more about the project.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos – Job Fair – 4/11
Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network – Empty Plate Dinner – 4/14
Pathways to Housing PA – Philadelphia Chair Affair – 4/19
Action Wellness – Dining Out for Life – 4/19
Bethesda Project – 21st Annual Party and Auction – 5/3
Dignity Housing – 30th Anniversary Celebration – 5/5
ACHIEVEAbility – Food for Thought – 5/5
Juvenile Law Center – Leadership Prize Celebration – 5/9
One Step Away – Champions Celebration – 5/10
Lutheran Settlement House – Women of Courage-10 Year Anniversary of Jane Addams House – 5/18
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
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Ready Resources |
March 28, 2018
Joseph Hill-Coles (center) speaking to the South Street Head House District
He’s A Winner!
Joseph Hill-Coles, Philly’s first Community Navigator for homeless youth, was selected as a Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) 2018 Cassaundra Rainey Youth Champion Award winner! He was chosen because of his passionate and tireless advocacy on behalf of youth experiencing homelessness. He’ll receive the award at CWLA’s 2018 National Conference in Washington, DC. The nation’s most influential leaders in child welfare will have the chance to hear how awesome he is!
Provider Spotlight
This week’s spotlight shines on three awesome organizations that help comprise our homeless service system:
Episcopal Community Services
They operate 24 hours a day and provide services to help families resolve a current crisis, build the skills to become self-sufficient, and develop ways to prevent future homelessness. Last year 135 families came to St. Barnabas Mission for temporary shelter.
Veterans Multi-Service Center
The Perimeter drop-in center in Philly served about 3,600 people in 2016, and their Women’s Veterans Center just celebrated its 4th birthday!
Women Against Abuse
They offer a variety of workshops for community groups and organizations, including public schools and city agencies. Topics include: Teen Dating Violence for Adults; Domestic Violence 101; and Domestic Violence for Professionals. All workshops are available in English and Spanish.
2018 Point in Time Count – The Numbers Are In
We just released the results of Philly’s annual Point in Time (PIT) Count. Here’s the good news: the rate of growth of street homelessness in the city has slowed to 10% after spiking to 32% in 2017. What we’re doing is working! But, despite our best efforts and the resulting progress, the total number of unsheltered people has increased from 930 to 1,020. This number is primarily driven by the opioid crisis which claimed an estimated 1,200 lives in Philadelphia last year. Read more here:
Update on Opioid Crisis
Homeless Services testified before City Council on March 12 on its response to the opioid crisis that has taken a record number of lives across the city. Liz Hersh focused on our work in Kensington, detailing how we’re using Housing First to move people off the streets, and developing strategies to close homeless encampments. Click here to read Liz’s complete testimony.
Coming Events
Women Against Abuse – Dish it Up 10th Anniversary – 3/28
Gaudenzia – 25th Annual Women and Children’s Conference – 3/29 & 30
Homeless Advocacy Project – Annual Benefit – 4/5
Congreso de Latinos Unidos – Job Fair – 4/11
Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network – Empty Plate Dinner – 4/14
Pathways to Housing PA – Philadelphia Chair Affair – 4/19
Bethesda Project – 21st Annual Party and Auction – 5/3
Dignity Housing – 30th Anniversary Celebration – 5/5
ACHIEVEAbility – Food for Thought – 5/5
Juvenile Law Center – Leadership Prize Celebration – 5/9
Lutheran Settlement House – Women of Courage-10 Year Anniversary of Jane Addams House – 5/18
Valley Youth House – Setting the Stage with Elton John – 9/8
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Ready Resources |
March 14, 2018
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Hub of Hope Update |
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Provider Spotlight Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) Covenant House People’s Emergency Center |
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CEA-BHRS Launched |
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Youth Access Points Now Open |
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Coming Events |
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Ready Resources |
February 28, 2018
Homeless Services Food Access Unit
L to R: Kerry Mahon, Madeline Guth, Billy Hoffer, Katie Dockhorn, Jo Lin
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Welcome the New Food Access Unit |
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Good News For Renters |
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Birth Certificates |
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What an Honor! |
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We Know What Works! |
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Coming Events |
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Ready Resources |
January 31, 2018
Prevention Point at the 2018 Point in Time Count
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2018 Point In Time Count |
HUD Team at the 2018 Youth Count
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2018 Youth Count |
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Helping a Neighborhood in Crisis |
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Hub of Hope Opens |
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Coming Events |
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Ready Resources |
January 17, 2018
Here’s What Success Looks Like
One of our favorite stories of 2017!
Brenda lived on the streets for many years. She and other two formerly chronic street homeless women are now living at Bethesda Serenity house.
This photo is from their housewarming. Thanks to the Bethesda Project and our amazing partners for their commitment to moving people from the streets to a home.
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Code Blue Update |
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CoC Funding |
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Coming Events |
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Ready Resources |
Office of Homeless Services | City of Philadelphia | 1401 John F Kennedy Boulevard | Suite 1030 | Philadelphia, PA 19102
For our 2017 Newsletters please click here.