This winter season alone, we have assisted 24 guests secure housing, and have served 141 unique individuals thus far, all proving Pottstown eligibility.

Over the last three winter seasons:

• Over 60 of our guests found permanent housing.

• We have assisted over 55 individuals get into inpatient drug or alcohol treatment programs.

• We have filled a bed, keeping someone off the street, over 15,000 times.

PBoH is working on fulfilling our mission to help our neighbors move from homelessness to secure housing.

In just one instance of many around a local shelter in Phoenixville, the average home price rose 8.8 percent from 2019–2023 in the block surrounding St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter.  In a randomized study of houses within a ½ mile of the shelter, prices for the same time frame rose 4.8%.  (Statistics were compiled from the Realtor.com webpage.)

Kevin Gillen, a Philadelphia economist, studied neighborhood impact around Project HOME’s 15 supportive housing residences throughout Philadelphia and found: “Neighboring properties around the housing facilities had accrued $1,700 in annual value — even beyond broader neighborhood trends.”-Washington Post, by Terrence McCoy

Phoenixville has often been held up as a model of revitalization and economic progress. There are 5 shelters located in Phoenixville, which is a bit smaller than Pottstown. These shelters provide security and help individuals save money so they can obtain stable, independent housing. In addition, Phoenixville has social services located on the main street and the shelters are within a few blocks of downtown where guests can receive the help they need to move towards permanent housing.

Yes.  We collaborate with Montgomery County Shelters each week to make sure our residents have a place to stay warm near their family, medical doctors, and support services. Other communities in Montgomery County also work hard to protect their neighbors. Lansdale, Norristown, Plymouth Meeting are just some of the locations.

No. The Days Inn program and PBOH are not associated in any way.

The Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) was closed in June 2022. The shelter was leased and located on county property, which was sold. That shelter had 40 beds and was full nearly every night, all year-round. When they closed, Resources for Human Development (RHD, the operators of said shelter), contracted with a hotel in Montgomery County, renting 38 rooms to continue to house the folks they serve. 

Our Check-In and intake process for the Permanent Shelter is still being finalized. The intake process for the permanent shelter will be similar for that of the warming center.

For all new intakes we have them fill out an intake packet, verify Pottstown eligibility, run their info through a Megan’s Law check, and check for outstanding warrants. Pottstown eligibility verification is physical proof of their ties to the community, such as mail, pay stubs, or benefits which are all associated and linked to a physical address which we can check, or established (24+ months) medical or psychiatric care within the community. We do not allow anyone in whose name is on the Megan’s Law registry If a new intake has outstanding warrants, we reach out to the police and let them know. 

Each night we have 2 trained staff members on-site, supervising the guests throughout the night. Our staff members are trained in de-escalation, mental health crisis, Narcan administration, CPR/AED, suicide prevention/protocol, healthy boundaries, and local services available.

Yes, we collaborate with the following:

• Creative Health

• Community Health & Dental

• Pottstown Works

• Access Services

• Montgomery County

• Dept. of Public Safety

• MCORT

• Montgomery County Mobile Crisis

• Tower Health Street Medicine

• Pottstown Works

• Elmwood Staffing

• Genesis Housing

• Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities

• TCN Homeless Services.

Over 200 guests were connected to urgent medical help, and over 120 have been connected with a primary care physician, saving Emergency Services dollars to the community.