Foundation commits $200,000 to significantly reduce homelessness in Montgomery County
Colmar, PA – The North Penn Community Health Foundation is pleased to announce its renewed commitment to Your Way Home Montgomery County – a public/private partnership seeking to make the experience of homelessness brief, rare and non-recurring. The foundation has committed up to $200,000 through June 30, 2016 to support learning, evaluation, capacity building, resource development and related activities to scale impact.
Russell Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the foundation commented, “Your Way Home is a sentinel opportunity for funders, providers, policymakers, businesses and consumers to partner with one another. Through a thoughtful, disciplined and coordinated effort, Your Way Home is addressing an unmet community need through the rigorous pursuit of high quality, cost effective strategies and partners that provide programs and services to help consumers realize their potential and secure a permanent home. The importance of a home is critical to the wellbeing of everyone.”
One example of a Montgomery County resident who has been helped by Your Way Home is Amanda, who entered the program with her young son in July 2015. She stayed at the Pottstown Salvation Army Family Shelter while searching for employment. Within two weeks, she found work at the Pottstown Walmart and continued to search for affordable housing. The Pottstown Housing Resource Center received word that there was housing available in Lansdale where Amanda has a support network. She was housed with her son within three weeks and is working on a transfer to a Walmart closer to her home.
“Montgomery County is committed to Your Way Home, and its ultimate success will be determined by the ability of government, philanthropy, nonprofits, and community partners to work together towards the common goal of ending homelessness,” said Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Private dollars are so important to this partnership and this generous contribution from the North Penn Community Health Foundation will go a long way to furthering the mission of Your Way Home.”
In the first 18 months since its January 2014 launch, Your Way Home has found housing for 695 people. During the first six months of 2015, an additional 271 adults and children who were at risk of homelessness were provided with support so they did not have to enter emergency shelter. Helping people to avoid becoming homeless in the first place is less traumatic for adults and families than going into an emergency shelter, and it is a more cost effective strategy for the system.
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