Phoenixville Homeless Shelter To Be Demolished, Rebuilt

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Officials in Phoenixville have approved a plan to demolish and rebuild a High Street homeless shelter to improve both its safety and privacy.

Good Samaritan Services, located along the 100 block of High Street, faces numerous issues in its current aging facilities.

The new proposed redevelopment calls for a "consolidation" of the property, with a full demolition of the existing three interconnecting structures, each of which serve as temporary living spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness.

In its place, Good Samaritan will build a single building, with the same amount of bed space as previously existed in the three connected buildings.

Consolidating the facility in a single building will allow developers to make better use of the existing lot, and to frame it with lighting and trees that give it more privacy, they told borough officials during a planning commission meeting on March 13.

That stretch of High Street is residential, and privacy could be mutually beneficial for both the shelter and nearby residents.

After reviewing issues with stormwater drainage, tree protection, and parking, the planning commission voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the project.

Good Samaritan operates throughout the region, with similar shelters in Ephrata, Lancaster, Coatesville, and Kennett Square.