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More than two years after the closure of Montco’s only year-round shelter for adults, a new one will be opening soon in 2025.
In a move that could have positive ripple effects for years to come, Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder announced today that year-round supportive housing with wrap-around services is now under contract in Lansdale Borough following a unanimous vote.
Under an agreement with Resources for Human Development (RHD), the county is funding emergency housing for up to 20 people at risk of homelessness. The site is located at the intersection of Welsh Road (Route 63) and North Wales Road. The lease agreement with the Lansdale-based Liberty Bell Realty Co. for the space at 1107 E. Main St. is set to begin on Jan. 1, 2025 and run through Dec. 31, 2034, according to Montgomery County Deputy Chief Operating Officer Dr. Tamra Williams. Rent was established at $6,800 per month, as reported by Rachel Ravina. Meanwhile, the county’s 2025 budget (Capital Improvement Plan) contains $2 million for “homeless shelters.”
The budget was approved unanimously by the three-person board of commissioners, which includes Neil Makhija and Thomas DiBello.
The financial support comes in response to rising evictions and encampments throughout Montgomery County. In Lansdale, the gazebo at Memorial Park was closed earlier this year for cleaning while some residents expressed frustration over people sleeping in the park.
“It’s no secret this has been a growing population,” Lansdale Council President Mary Fuller said today.
“We all worked so hard together and I am ecstatic about the outcome,” she added via Zoom.
Lansdale Councilman B.J. Breish, speaking on his own behalf, said during public comment that he hopes this is just the start.
“This project represents hope for many, and provides a tangible, responsible solution to the persistent problem of homelessness in our community. By supporting this initiative, and seeing it through, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to all that the impossible can be achieved through perseverance, collaboration, and compassion.”
He continued, “The approval of this shelter needs to be the start. I hope it challenges other community leaders and they recognize that we must be bold, and we all have a role in addressing this issue with compassion and real solutions. Lansdale Borough is how we start, let's make this much larger than we could have ever imagined throughout the entire county.”
The shelter is expected to reduce the number of unsheltered individuals in Lansdale by 50-75 percent, as the borough currently sees anywhere between 27 to 38 residents experiencing homelessness at any given time, according to a county press release. To address their needs holistically, the facility will offer wraparound services, including permanent housing placement assistance, behavioral health services, and connections to mainstream and community services.
The annual operational cost for the shelter is estimated at $1.3 million, which will cover social services, staffing, and 24/7 onsite support, according to the county. Services will include individualized case management, connections to permanent affordable housing, access to public benefits, and more.
Christina Jordan, program director for RHD, noted during her public remarks that homelessness is a complex public health problem and can happen to anyone. Our communities are strongest when all of their members are getting their basic needs met, Jordan added.
“This is one giant step towards doing so in Montgomery County,” she said.
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