Replacing Montgomery County homeless shelter should be priority

We are in agreement with Commissioner Lawrence that the crisis faced by unhoused individuals requires action. The Commissioner outlines the approaches the County is exploring to address the drivers of homelessness in the county and the work they are doing to develop long-term solutions to this growing problem. We applaud his leadership. But what his column fails to address, and what does not seem to be on the agenda for the Task Force, is the immediate problem that there currently is not a shelter in all of Montgomery County for unhoused adults. This is an emergency that requires immediate action on the part of the County.

More than a year ago, the only year-round shelter for single adults — the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHCO) closed. Despite promises to open a new shelter, it has not yet happened. Without shelter, unhoused adults suffered during this past winter, and 5 that we are aware of lost their life due to the elements. As the heat increases this summer, we will see more and more adults put unnecessarily in danger.

The County has options — one short term solution would be to reopen beds on the state hospital grounds. There, people can have a legal and safe place to stay while they can be connected with county resources to get people into permanent housing. As the Task Force does its work and develops a more integrated plan for the problem — this short-term approach will provide immediate relief while stakeholders work to develop long term affordable housing options.

There is no reason the County can’t explore a short-term solution for the problem as they work to develop an integrated strategy to address the underlying causes of homelessness. As the encampments grow and more Montgomery County residents struggle to find affordable housing the need is urgent.

— Pastor Byron L. Craig, President of the Greater Norristown Ministerium

— Bill England, MSW, Here For Us