Pottstown Homeless Shelter Gets 'Critical' Land Approval

POTTSTOWN, PA — A newly proposed temporary homeless shelter in Pottstown took an important step forward recently as authorities approved preliminary land development plans.

Organizers with the Pottstown Beacon of Hope called the decision a "crucial milestone" in the project.

"This approval marks a major achievement in our journey to create a space where individuals facing homelessness can receive holistic care, support, and a path toward stability,” Tom Niarhos, Executive Director at Pottstown Beacon of Hope, told Patch.

The Pottstown Planning Commission voted to approve the land development side of the project at their meeting on March 19.

The Pottstown Beacon of Hope is a year-round center aimed to help homeless individuals recover stability. In addition to housing, the proposed facility would provide "wrap around services," including individual case management and assistance in finding permanent housing.

Pottstown, which suffers from one of the worst rates of homelessness in the county, has been a focal point both for county officials and nonprofit leaders looking for solutions to a crisis that has only gotten worse over the last several years. Rising housing and food costs in addition to income inequality and the pressures of the pandemic and inflation have created a perfect storm for many residents who were living on the edge.

"Each stage brings us closer to realizing our vision of a dedicated facility that will provide not only shelter but also critical services to those experiencing housing insecurity in our community," the organization added.

Related: Emergency Homeless Shelter Approved At Pottstown Days Inn

The project still needs formal approval from borough council and PennDOT before construction can officially begin.

It comes after the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners approved a new emergency "hoteling" program at the Day's Inn in Pottstown earlier this year. The project will allow the county to use 62 rooms at the hotel to provide what officials called "safe, temporary housing" for individuals without a roof. The initial term of the lease for the county to use the Days Inn property is six months, and will cost $669,000, according to county estimates.