We like to update you on progress made across Philadelphia’s homeless services system, including personal testimonials and success stories, how we’re putting our strategic plan Roadmap to Homes into action, and how Philly continues to be one of the most progressive, successful homeless services system in the country.
Read below and share the good news!
Responding to the COVID Pandemic: Fall 2020 Progress Report
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant unprecedented challenges for every American, particularly for people of color and those with low or no income. This report summarizes how the City and its providers supported these populations in the first six months. Read the report.
Great News: Philadelphia Receives $35.5M for Local Homeless Programs from the Federal Government
The $35,598,858 grant comes in Continuum of Care (CoC) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The funds will sustain 2,718 units in various community-based emergency shelter, transitional, and permanent housing programs that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of experiencing homeless. See the full list of local providers, programs, and dollars.
United to Help Youth in Need
The Department of Human Services, in partnership with Valley Youth House has launched the Youth Rental Assistance and Support program. The will program will provide rapid rental assistance and housing support to 60 youth per year who are facing homelessness due to obstacles, such as job loss or unresolved college housing.
Additional program goals include strengthen housing security through housing stabilization services, including housing identification, move-in assistance, and budgeting support.
Learn more.
Home Visiting Program Parents as Teachers in Shelters for the First Time!
Parents as Teachers brings an evidenced based home visiting curriculum to parents in Philadelphia shelters who have children younger than age five through the outreach team at People’s Emergency Center who developed Building Early Links for Learning in 2017. Families are paired with their very own parent educator to provide activities to strengthen: parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. Also included in one on one visits are – health and developmental screenings, parent group connections, and parent and child resources. Contact program manager Sylania Burnett at sburnett@pec-cares.org or 215-251-6139 to talk about enrolling families today! Get more information.
Be Heard: Participate in the Budget Priority Survey
On April 15, 2021, Mayor Kenney will propose a budget to City Council for the coming fiscal year which starts July 1, 2021.
Before the City finishes drafting the budget, we want to hear from Philadelphians like you on how the City should focus its spending. Take the 10-minute survey.
Coming Soon: More Emergency Rental Assistance
If you’re having trouble paying rent because of COVID-19, you may qualify for rental assistance through the Department of Planning & Development.
To date there have been three rounds of rental assistance for Philadelphia tenants, providing relief to more than 10,7000 people. Learn more.
New faces on the Roadmap to Homes Board
Join us in welcoming our new Board members: Latia Presley and Ángel Ortiz-Siberon.
Elected in the recent 2021 Roadmap to Homes Board Election, Latia will serve as a Lived Experience Representative and Ángel will serve as the Underrepresented Populations Representative.
Latia is currently a Transitional Living Coordinator at Gaudenzia, Inc. and a trained social worker who works with those experiencing homelessness and with chronic health conditions. Ángel is a member of the Homeless Advisory Board of Ceiba Collective, a coalition of Latino community-based organizations in Philadelphia and brings rich research experience in Latinx homelessness.
We are excited to have Latia and Ángel join the Roadmap to Homes Board and help us work towards making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Philadelphia. See who else is on the Board.
Kudos: How Partners are Providing Critical Support
Step Up the the Plate approaches 500K meals milestone
The program has served 491,240 meals to people experiencing homelessness, housing, and food insecurity. These efforts are a critical contribution to fighting for health equity during COVID-19. Check out recent press coverage.
People’s Emergency Center (PEC) helps to bridge the digital divide
The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Homelessness Task Force, which PEC co-chairs, partnered with the Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office to fund (59) fifty-nine family homeless shelters across the state with technology grants, including many in Philadelphia. See the infographic.
How Pathways to Housing evolved to remain innovative and person centered
Finding new ways to serve clients during the current health crisis has been a global challenge. Learn how Pathways to Housing employs innovated approaches to continue housing Philadelphians. Read the article.
First Step Staffing garners national attention
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) recognized First Step Staffing for its work in solving individual homelessness through an income first approach in the midst of COVID-19. Check out the live-streamed USICH 2020 Extra Mile Recognition Ceremony; our partner’s portion begins around 27:55.
SELF evaluates COVID-19’s negative impact on Black and Brown communities
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SELF hosted a community forum to highlight the ways COVID-19 has exacerbated the challenges people of color face. Additionally, the event left attendees with an important messages: let’s encourage people to get vaccinated. Watch the recorded Zoom presentation video and segment on NBC10!
