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In Pottstown: Public Comment Restricted, Mixed Message on Homeless Sweep Plans
“Another outsider.” Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller – eyebrows furrowed – could be heard with a muffled sigh from the public...
Michael Hays
Jan 5, 20242 min read


Norristown Zoning Board Rebukes Council, Allows Shelter to Stay Open
Four days before Christmas, St. John’s Church in Norristown needed a variance from the local zoning board to avoid closing in the midst...
Michael Hays
Dec 22, 20232 min read


West Norriton, Others Working to Expand Region's Shelter Capacity
Outgoing County Commissioner Ken Lawrence and staff outlined the recommendations and goals of the Homelessness Task Force during...
Michael Hays
Dec 16, 20232 min read


Thoughts from Code Blue Forum
“Get close to the issue.” ~ Sunanda Charles, panelist More than 60 community members filled the room during this week’s Code Blue...
Michael Hays
Dec 8, 20232 min read


No Arrests or Citations, Judge Tells Pottstown
In the middle of a county-declared “Code Blue,” a federal judge told Pottstown Borough this week that police may not arrest or issue a...
Michael Hays
Nov 29, 20232 min read


Pottstown Borough Sued in Court
Two homeless individuals and a non-profit are suing Pottstown Borough in court. Stating that their clients will suffer “cruel and unusual...
Michael Hays
Nov 10, 20232 min read


Pottstown Sweeps Loom Dec. 1
When I introduced myself to my first class as a new teacher in Reading a few years ago, I showed them an illustration of the Schuylkill...
Michael Hays
Nov 4, 20233 min read


Recap: New shelter in Plymouth Meeting; Norristown to land before the U.N., & Events
This week saw a series of developments surrounding housing and homelessness, with stories and updates from Norristown and Upper Gwynedd,...
Michael Hays
Sep 24, 20233 min read


Norristown Police Sought Names of Homeless
The Norristown Police Department tried to obtain names of the unhoused from Montgomery County more than two months before news broke that...
Michael Hays
Sep 14, 20233 min read


Norristown Emails Show Disdain for Homeless
In the 14 months that have passed since Montgomery County’s only year-round homeless shelter closed, both encampments and evictions have...
Michael Hays
Sep 9, 20235 min read


Inqy: Peco to Give 45-Day Notice to Encampment
Over the weekend, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Peco will take additional steps in August to get remaining campers to leave the...
Michael Hays
Jul 31, 20231 min read


Keeping the Focus on Solutions and Avoiding Sweeps
Norristown Council President Thomas Lepera’s chair sat empty during Tuesday’s council meeting. Meanwhile, members of the community turned...
Michael Hays
Jun 22, 20232 min read


Norristown Protest Recap
ICYMI, below you’ll find news articles from last night, the full Norristown Council meeting recording, and a letter-to-the-editor that...
Michael Hays
Jun 7, 20231 min read


Resisting the Tent Sweep
I remember the first time I grappled with the issue of homelessness when I was a college student in Boston. My developing conscience,...
Michael Hays
May 30, 20232 min read
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