Homelessness

New Jersey’s homeless population has risen 17% over the past few years, and there aren't enough resources to properly help unhoused people.

The nonprofit distributed 650 bikes last year to people in need throughout Montgomery, Berks and Bucks counties.

"It's setting a lot of dangerous precedents," said Chris Brickhouse of Better Days Ahead, "with more people entering poverty and being on the edge of poverty."

The ruling comes after homelessness in the United States grew a dramatic 12% last year to its highest reported level, as soaring rents and a decline in pandemic assistance.

The decision comes nearly a year after Project HOME co-founders Sister Mary Scullion and Joan McConnon announced they would be stepping down.

New academy graduates will be immediately dispatched to walk the beat in Philly’s “Kensington pocket.” The police commissioner says arrests will be made.

With homelessness rising, trends include an increase in homeless children, individuals aged 55 and older and Black communities accounting for 60% of the affected population.

Residents say they were blindsided by the city’s proposal to house Kensington drug users.

City police and outreach workers continue to monitor the area of Kensington’s open-air drug market as harm reduction workers provide a bridge to support services.

The count showed an uptick in people experiencing homelessness — although more people were in emergency shelters rather than outdoors compared to the year before.

Councilmember Quetcy Lozada was at K&A as the city cleared encampments Wednesday morning. "I wasn't disappointed,” she said, “I was just concerned.”

The nonprofit is assessing interest, opportunities and funding in Montgomery, Bucks and Delaware counties.

The neighborhood has been the center of at least 10 such sweeps. The move has left some residents and business owners wondering about its long-term efficacy.

Is this the start of a transformation, or just one more of the many cleanups the neighborhood has seen over the years?

Philadelphia is planning to shut down areas around Kensington and Allegheny avenues on Wednesday.