Former Chesco Probation Officer Now Housing Women In Need

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A former Chester County Deputy Chief Probation Officer is now helping house women reuniting with their children after incarceration.

Jennifer Lopez, Executive Director of the Friends Association, is working to head off family homelessness, and the organization just received two significant state grants to help in the work.

Friends Association is the recipient of two awards through this year's PHARE funding allotment.

The state grants are assigned annually through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. Gov. Tom Wolf named 214 housing and community development initiatives in 67 counties that will share a portion of the nearly $46 million in PHARE funding.

The funds are expected to impact nearly 2,000 Pennsylvania households through a variety of efforts.

One grant will provide $100,000 for Homelessness Prevention Programs throughout Chester County. Another will provide $310,000 to establish a new Diversionary Reentry House for women and children in Coatesville, in Chester County.

Lopez knows firsthand how difficult it can be for women as they re-enter the community as returning citizens after incarceration. "Having a safe and secure place to call home upon reunification with children can be the vital key to successful reentry," Lopez said.

Prior to joining Friends in 2019, Lopez served the Chester County Community as the Deputy Chief of Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services where she administered programs serving over 10,000 justice-involved persons. Her experience in that role gives her the unique qualification for the establishment of this visionary program.

"We know that access to affordable housing is a barrier to economic stability and self-sufficiency. This program will give women the space they need to reestablish critical bonds with their children and secure long-term stable housing," she said.

Friends Association continues to be forward thinking and innovative, while addressing the needs of the community to end family homelessness in Chester County. This program will be the first of its kind, focusing specifically on women and children.

The second grant will provide $100,000 for Homelessness Prevention Programs throughout the county.

"Studies have shown that for every $1 we invest in keeping residents stable, the community realizes a savings of $4 in decreased assistance to individuals and families who lose their housing," said Lopez.

Friends will utilize PHARE funding to provide targeted financial resources and intensive case management to prevent homelessness and eviction for rent-burdened families.

"Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) is a leader in understanding that quality housing and supportive services go hand-in-hand, and the value of preventing the life-altering, negative impacts of housing instability and eviction," said Lopez.

"The current pandemic has demonstrated just how important affordable housing is and why we need more of it," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO, Robin Wiessmann. "Since its start in 2012, PHARE has proven to be an invaluable funding source to help communities address their most urgent housing needs."

Wolf praised the program for its contributions to communities. "The PHARE program is successful due to its flexibility and its ability to leverage local partnerships and leadership to effectively address broad housing needs," Wolf said this week. "It encourages local organizations and elected officials to come together and jointly decide the best way to enhance their community's housing stock. PHARE is making a positive difference across the state."

Friends Association provides emergency shelter and programs to prevent homelessness for families with children in Chester County.

For more information or to support these initiatives please visit www.friendsassoc.org.