The Chester County Department of Community Development recently held its annual State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness event, where it announced that through the dedication and hard work of community partners, the county has reached a functional zero milestone for chronic homelessness.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of community partners, Chester County has reached a functional zero milestone for chronic homelessness, the Chester County Department of Community Development announced at its recent State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County event.
Chronic homelessness refers to long-lasting or recurring homelessness that affects a community’s most vulnerable residents. Achieving this functional zero milestone is the result of a countywide, coordinated, data-driven entry system that has successfully reduced chronic homelessness to a rare, manageable level.
In a joint statement, the County Commissioners said, “There is great momentum in Chester County, and thanks to the incredible efforts of the County’s stakeholders, a corner has been turned in responding to homelessness. We know that stable, affordable housing is the foundation for addressing health, employment, and other challenges, and that lasting progress comes from decisions based on data, a commitment to housing stability, and investments in proven solutions.
“The functional zero milestone is attributable to deep collaboration and partnerships coordinated by the Department of Community Development, all of whom are committed to preventing and ending homelessness. Together, we are building a more effective and compassionate response — one that is designed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
Department of Community Development Director Dolores Colligan said, “What we have here in Chester County is a diverse community ecosystem. We have small borough governments working alongside nonprofits; faith-based organizations standing beside legal aid providers; and housing developers partnering with domestic violence advocates.
“That kind of cross-sector collaboration is rare, and it is something Chester County should be genuinely proud of.”
In the past five years, 52 percent fewer people entered emergency shelters — from 1,165 in 2021 to 564 in 2025. First-time homelessness decreased by 10 percent between 2024 and 2025.
The 2026 Point-in-Time Count, conducted on January 28 and into the early morning of January 29, found a 30 percent decrease in homelessness compared to the previous year. A total of 219 people were experiencing homelessness — the second-lowest count in more than a decade and significantly below both the five-year average (316) and the 10-year average (431).
“Chester County has proven to be on the leading edge of solving homelessness and an exceptional leader in harnessing the power of data, said LoriAnn Girvan, Principal, Strategy and Impact at Community Solutions. Community Solutions created and leads the Built for Zero initiative, a movement of 100+ communities working to measurably end homelessness.
Kelly Raggazino, CEO of Open Hearth, Inc., said: “Aligning our data, resources, and collective energy has allowed Open Hearth, the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, and the Department of Community Development to move forward with clarity and purpose in reducing homelessness. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this work and to stand alongside so many dedicated partners whose compassion and commitment make progress possible. Together, we’re guided by the belief that every person deserves stability, dignity, and a safe place to call home.
For more information about homelessness reduction efforts in Chester County, please visit the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness at https://endhomelessnesschesco.org.
