We like to update you on progress made across Philadelphia’s homeless services system, including personal testimonials and success stories, how we’re putting our strategic plan Roadmap to Homes into action, and how Philly continues to be one of the most progressive, successful homeless services system in the country.
Read below and share the good news!
You’re Invited: New funding opportunities virtual “brown bag” lunch
Learn more about the new ESG funding opportunities that are available during this presentation on August 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We’ll focus on the current request for proposals that are open: SRO-based housing, project-based rapid re-housing, and tenant-based rapid re-housing for families. Can’t wait for the briefing? Take a look at the current Requests for Proposals.
Unlike COVID, there is a cure for homelessness: housing
At OHS we are staying focused on one truth: Housing Ends Homelessness. Read OHS Director Liz Hersh’s recent editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Unlike COVID, we know how to cure homelessness: housing.”
2020 Census: Let’s make sure people experiencing homelessness COUNT
Shout out to the Census workers who partnered with provider SEAMAAC to help more than 60 people fill out their census form at Key School in Southeast Philly (pictured above).
Communities that don’t get fully counted in 2020 will miss out for the next ten years. With so much at stake, it’s important that every Philadelphian is counted to ensure our city receives adequate federal funding to support housing, health care, infrastructure, and school services. Even if we miss just 5% of our city’s population (around 80,000 people), the potential loss could be a whopping $1.68 trillion over 10 years!
The Census Bureau recently announced it will wrap up the survey count a month early on September 30. This imposes a logistical challenge in accurately counting hard-to-reach residents, which includes Philadelphians experiencing homelessness.
This is the time to get involved. The Census counts. So do you. Here’s how you can help:
The Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) operation is a mobile census effort that provides readily accessible ways for people to register to vote and respond to the census. MQA staff can help respondents in areas with low self-response rates answer questions and directly access the Census questionnaire.
Good News: PHA eviction moratorium extended
To ensure the continued housing stability of 80,000 low-income residents who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has extended the eviction moratorium until March 15, 2021.
Get help with paying rent
If you’ve lost income because of COVID-19 and are having trouble paying your rent, apply for Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which makes payments directly to your landlord.
Philadelphia shelters will remain equal access, despite proposed federal policy allowing discrimination against trans people
On August 4, Mayor Jim Kenney and OHS Director Liz Hersh submitted comments in opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed rule change that repeals protections for transgender people under the Equal Access Rule, leaving them vulnerable to being denied shelter and forced out onto the streets. OHS strongly opposes, and will not implement, this optional rule.
We are committed to ensuring that our most vulnerable residents have access to lifesaving housing services.
City receives $4.2 million in state funds for homeless services
Philadelphia recently received an award of nearly $4.2 million dollars in State CARES Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, human services, and legal assistance.
The grant enables the City to expand services to communities that are historically underserved such as LGBTQ, youth experiencing homelessness and Latinx, refugee, immigrant, and non-English speaking communities.
Free dental care for families in shelter
Patient care clinics at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry are open, offering examinations and preventive care. They are working with family shelters to make this service available.
Families are welcomed to visit the clinic at 3223 N. Broad Street. Call 215-707-2900 for general information and appointments.
Two local foundations win national recognition for work on homelessness
The Sheller Family Foundation and Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc. have been awarded the 2020 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships for their work in homeless services.
Seen on TV: PHMC nurses on the frontlines
CBS3 featured Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) health network nurses Michelle Haines and Melissa Hillegass, who have been providing critical care to Philadelphia’s homeless community across seven shelters.
And the PHMC good news doesn’t stop there. Seven participants in PHMC’s First Foundation and CoC Rapid Re-housing programs have successfully achieved gainful employment with Philadelphia-based agencies – kudos!
By the numbers: Homeless services through the pandemic
From March 13 to July 31, Philadelphia’s homeless assistance system served 6,467 people in emergency shelter, distributed 606,872 shelter meals, and helped 663 people move into transitional, rapid rehousing, or permanent housing.
COVID-19 Ready Resources
As we coordinate our collaborative response to COVID-19, we want to ensure we’re keeping everyone informed to the greatest extent possible.
