Fostering Dialogue: Key Takeaways from Bucks-Mont Collaborative’s CAN Event with Montco Commissioners on the Homelessness and Lack of Affordable Housing Crises

February 14, 2025
An audience of about 80 people listening to community representatives speak.

We were pleased to have an impactful event in our building on January 31 with Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Neil Makhija, Vice Chair Jamila Winder, and Thomas DiBello. Bucks-Mont Collaborative’s Collaborative Advocacy Network (CAN) hosted and facilitated a meaningful conversation with the Commissioners on the pressing issue of homelessness. The room was filled with engaged community members, with 68 individuals attending this vital discussion. 

HealthSpark Foundation is a proud member and funder of Bucks-Mont Collaborative. In addition, HealthSpark President and CEO Emma Hertz currently serves as Co-Chair of the CAN alongside Shirlee Howe, Manager of Operations for Children First. 

The event’s primary goal was to present specific requests that reflect the priorities identified during an  August 2024 community conversation the CAN hosted following the Supreme Court ruling of Johnson vs. Grants Pass. While there are numerous areas of concern, the requests made during the meeting represent the key issues that emerged from that earlier dialogue:

  • Reestablishing the Your Way Home Advisory Council with appropriate investment from County leadership, taking into account budget and resource constraints, as well as the uncertain status due to potential changes in federal funding (or through a similar entity to inform and/or co-develop plans)
  • Regular communication from County Commissioners to nonprofit partners and municipal leaders regarding housing and homelessness issues
  • Visible public support for homeless shelters and projects that promote attainable housing within our County

To express the importance of these requests and add context, local community leaders presented their perspectives:

  • Mark Boorse, Director of Program Development, Access Services on ‘Understanding the Montco Landscape of Homelessness’
  • Gail Plant, President, TLC for the People on ‘Immediate Impact of Grants Pass in Montco’
  • Meg Currie Teoh, Vice President, Lansdale Borough Council on ‘Celebrating Our Wings: 2025 Emergency Shelter, Lansdale Borough’
  • And HealthSpark President and CEO, Emma Hertz on ‘Opportunities for Action by County Leadership’ 

We are encouraged by the Commissioners’ participation. The Commissioners shared an overview of their recent efforts, including the approval of shelters in Lansdale and Pottstown, the provision of funding for Code Blue, and their ongoing commitment to addressing housing affordability challenges. They also expressed a strong interest in continuing to strengthen and expand our partnership moving forward.

We appreciate their response to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the community as we continue to advocate for solutions to homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. We are grateful to Bucks-Mont Collaborative’s CAN for advancing this conversation. 

HealthSpark’s commitment to collaboration remains strong, and we look forward to working together to achieve healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County.