Letters: Montco making gains helping the homeless

In Montgomery County, we realize that ending homelessness is a community effort ("Will reaching out be enough?" May 26). In 2014, we launched Your Way Home Montgomery County, a partnership of government, philanthropy, nonprofits, and community to end homelessness and housing instability for hardworking families and vulnerable residents.

In its first two years, YWH increased exits from shelter to permanent housing from 30 percent to 46 percent, and more than 94 percent of the rehoused people have maintained housing stability.

This year, we ended veteran homelessness, reaching "functional zero." All veterans who were located and were willing to accept housing have been permanently housed or are sheltered and on a path to permanent housing.

The county's holistic approach to ending homelessness is working, but there is more work to be done. Ending homelessness is an ongoing effort, and it takes the entire community. To learn the county's approach to preventing and ending homelessness, visit http://yourwayhome.org.

Josh Shapiro, chair; Valerie A. Arkoosh, vice chair; and Joseph C. Gale, Montgomery County Commissioners; commissioners@montcopa.org.

Letter to the editor. (2016 June 6). Philly.com. Montco making gains helping the homeless. Retrieved:  http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/letters/20160606_Letters__Montco_making_gains_helping_thehomeless.html#TbMwyGmJGSMXOJvc.99