Fewer homeless in city
Street homelessness has declined in Philadelphia over the past year, according to data released by the mayor's office yesterday. Based on counts performed by the advocacy group Project HOME, 395 people were living on city streets last month, compared with 532 people in November 2008.
Street homelessness has declined in Philadelphia over the past year, according to data released by the mayor's office yesterday.
Based on counts performed by the advocacy group Project HOME, 395 people were living on city streets last month, compared with 532 people in November 2008.
The number of homeless people in Center City has also dropped. There were 329 on the streets in Center City last month. In November 2008, there were 377.
"Even in good times, this would be good news," said Mayor Nutter. "Given the economic environment, it is fantastic news. Because the expectation, of course, is that very easily things could go in a downward trend."
Nutter has pushed to provide more permanent housing options for the homeless. Since taking office he has partnered with the Philadelphia Housing Authority to combat homelessness. Over the past two years, PHA has offered hundreds of housing opportunities to single people and families.