Homelessness in Pennsylvania local government
What Pennsylvania city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about homelessness — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
53 Pennsylvania meetings since 2024 covered homelessness. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Pennsylvania with the most homelessness activity
- Allentown, PA (10)
- Ephrata, PA (9)
- Pittsburgh, PA (6)
- Lower Merion School District, PA (4)
- Norristown, PA (3)
- Wayne County, PA (3)
- Pottstown, PA (3)
- Centre County, PA (2)
- Luzerne County, PA (2)
- Upper Darby, PA (2)
- Philadelphia, PA (2)
- Slatington, PA (2)
Latest matching meetings
Council to vote on encampment clearing resolution and $956K in bills
The Baldwin Borough Council is holding its regular meeting, where it will vote on a resolution setting guidelines for clearing tents and other structures occupied by unhoused individuals on borough property. The council will also consider approving over $956,000 in bills, a mid-year budget, and several contract…
County board to approve grants, contracts, and budget changes
The Centre County Board of Commissioners will consider approving several contracts, grant applications, and budget modifications, including a $434,070 HUD grant for rapid re-housing and a $232,575 HOME-ARP budget change. They will also adopt a proclamation for Grange Fair Days and appoint a firm for tax sale notices…
Butler County to consider $662,210 homeless services grant application
The Butler County Board of Commissioners will vote on several contracts and appointments, including a $662,210 Emergency Solutions Grant application for homeless services, a $126,770 HUD contract with Catholic Charities, and multiple opioid settlement-funded programs. They will also consider an elevator maintenance…
Council to consider Wawa development and Eisenhower Drive signal upgrades
Hanover Borough Council will discuss a land development plan for a Wawa at 301 Eisenhower Drive and a signalization upgrade project on Eisenhower Drive. The body is also considering a new purchasing policy and a letter of support for county-wide homelessness coordination.
Council to vote on $800K homeless outreach agreement
Pittsburgh's Standing Committees will consider a resolution authorizing an $800,000 agreement with Allegheny County to fund expanded outreach for individuals experiencing homelessness. Other notable items include the sale of dozens of tax-delinquent properties, a $108,296.64 litigation settlement, and a rezoning…
Council to consider police DROP and encampment policy update
The council will discuss Bill 46, which adds a limited deferred retirement option plan (DROP) to the police pension fund. They will also receive an update on the city's encampment policy.
Council to approve $800K for homelessness outreach
City Council will vote on several resolutions and ordinances, including a $800,000 contract with Allegheny County for homelessness outreach services, a $108,296 legal settlement, and the sale of numerous tax-delinquent properties. They will also consider amending the capital budget to transfer $550,000 for play area…
Restorative Roots presents recovery housing data and funding justification
The Commission on Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement reviewed a presentation from Restorative Roots, a licensed recovery housing provider. The provider presented resident outcome data and a cost-avoidance analysis to justify funding for its services.
Norristown ZHB to hear variance for homeless services office at 449 E. Lafayette St.
The Zoning Hearing Board will conduct public hearings on 12 variance and special exception requests. The most notable is a request by Norristown Hospitality Center to operate a business office providing services to homeless individuals in the Town Center II District, a use not currently permitted there. Other items…
Council to vote on homeless encampment policies and a $60,000 grant
City Council will consider an ordinance establishing procedures for managing homeless encampments on public property. They will also vote on accepting grant funding for the Love Your Block program. Some council members have requested to postpone the encampment bill to develop alternative options.
Norristown Zoning Board hears school expansion in floodplain, plus 21 other variance requests
The Norristown Zoning Hearing Board will hold public hearings on 22 applications for variances and special exceptions. Items include requests to allow multi-family dwellings, commercial uses, and a school expansion in a floodplain. The board will also consider an adult daycare and an office serving homeless…
Committee to review ACH Annual Report on homelessness
The Community and Economic Development Committee will review the 2025 Annual Report from the Allentown Commission on Homelessness. The agenda also includes roll call and adjournment.
Allentown Council hosts workshop with Lehigh County Commissioners
The Allentown City Council is convening a facilitated workshop with Lehigh County Commissioners to discuss specific areas of cooperation, including housing development, homelessness response, and public safety. The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM on March 5, 2026, at the Council Chambers.
Council to consider Vision Zero support, street resurfacing funds, trail grant
The Upper Darby Township Council Committee will discuss and potentially approve several resolutions, including supporting Vision Zero traffic safety, applying for county liquid fuel tax funds for street resurfacing, and submitting a grant application for a trail connection study. The agenda also includes a…
Charter amendment to let city employees run for office without resigning faces final vote
City Council will vote on a charter amendment allowing city officers and employees to become candidates without resigning, along with ordinances on public contracting, zoning, and traffic. Resolutions call for adult-use cannabis legalization and urge HUD to expand supportive housing investments. Several land bank…
Borough Council approves traffic signal upgrades at Dutchland Avenue and Weis Shopping Center
The Ephrata Borough Council will vote on several items, including a PennDOT application to upgrade traffic signals at SR 0272, Dutchland Avenue, and the Weis Shopping Center driveway. The council will also consider agreements for on‑demand parking services, a $108,164.42 electric line maintenance contract, a…
Committee discusses amended encampment closure bill
The Community and Economic Development Committee will discuss a draft amended encampment closure ordinance. The plan is to introduce a new draft at the next full City Council meeting. No other substantive items are on the agenda.
Borough Council reviews zoning amendments for smoke shops and short-term rentals
The Development Activities Committee is reviewing land development agreements and subdivision plans for several properties. The body will also consider a conditional use application for a winter shelter and a zoning ordinance text amendment. Additionally, the committee will discuss recent and upcoming Zoning Hearing…
Commissioners consider funding for agricultural land preservation and human services
The Board of Commissioners will review several human services contracts and a land development plan for a self-storage unit. They are also considering appropriations for the 2026 Agricultural Land Preservation Program and a proclamation for Career and Technical Education Month.
Council to approve $100K for emergency homelessness assistance
The Upper Darby Township Council is holding a special meeting to consider a resolution that would amend the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program action plans. The amendment would cancel a project for the Bywood Community Association and create a new project, 'Emergency Homelessness Assistance,' funded at…
City Council to discuss winter homelessness
City Council will hold a discussion on wintertime and homelessness at the request of Council Member Robert Charland. Invited guests include Carmen Stafford, Lee Schmidt, and Camilla Alarcon.
Council to consider $50 solid waste fee cut and reinstating 3.96% tax increase
The Allentown City Council is holding a special meeting to consider two budget amendment proposals before adopting the 2026 city budget. One proposal, sponsored by Councilpersons Affa, Hendricks, and Santo, seeks to lower the solid waste fee by $50 and reinstate a 3.96% tax increase. A separate mayoral memo proposes…
Committee to consider commercial presale inspection program
The committee is reviewing three bills: Bill 97 amends the property rehabilitation code to create a commercial inspections program. Bill 98 appropriates $1,000,000 from a state grant to support the Baum School of Art. Bill 100 transfers $25,000 from the Building Code Fund to pay YMCA for early warming shelter opening.
Council to consider $1.5M fund transfer to keep 2026 tax rate flat
The Allentown City Council is holding a special meeting to review proposed amendments to the 2026 budget ordinances (Bills 84-90). Key proposed amendments include a $1.5 million transfer from the Closing fund to keep the tax rate unchanged, $100,000 for the Health Department per the Homeless Commission's request, and…
SCASD committee to review new policy for homeless, foster students
The State College Area School District Policy Development Committee will discuss revisions to several policies, including a new comprehensive policy for students experiencing homelessness, foster care, or other educational instability. The committee will also review updates to policies on student representatives…
City Council considers $134 million in general obligation bonds
City Council will discuss options for managing an encampment at Jordan and consider Bill 72. This bill proposes securing general obligation bonds to fund various city capital projects.
Commissioners consider $222,289 road project and $179,700 homeless services grant
The Wayne County Commissioners are meeting to vote on infrastructure bids, grant applications, and property leases for food locker sites. The board will also address several personnel hires, promotions, and salary adjustments.
Kensington committee cancels May 28 hearing on homelessness and addiction
The Special Committee on Kensington cancelled its scheduled May 28, 2025 public hearing and meeting. The sole agenda item was a resolution authorizing hearings on homelessness and substance use disorder in communities with unstable housing and addiction.
Zoning board to decide on homeless shelter variance and hear 13 other requests
The Norristown Zoning Hearing Board will hold public hearings on 14 applications, including a decision on a variance and special exception for the Norristown Hospitality Center at 366 & 368 E. Moore St. Other items include converting a non-conforming social hall into apartments, permitting a nail salon near an…
Public hearing on ordinance to permit winter shelters as accessory use
The Ephrata Borough Council is holding a public hearing to consider proposed Ordinance No. 1595, which would amend the zoning code to permit winter shelters as an accessory use in certain zoning districts and define where two-family dwellings are allowed. The ordinance also removes existing provisions for temporary…
Council to vote on ordinance allowing winter shelters in certain zones
Ephrata Borough Council will hold a voting session on April 14, 2025, to decide on multiple action items including a zoning ordinance to permit winter shelters, a ground lease for a cell tower, and various contracts and resolutions. The meeting also includes proclamations, committee reports, and approval of financial…
Council to consider zoning change allowing winter shelters as accessory use
Ephrata Borough Council will discuss committee recommendations and actions at its April 7 work session, including a tabled zoning ordinance to permit winter shelters and define two-family dwelling districts, resolutions modifying paid parking times and authorizing FTR auctions, and an ambulance service agreement.
Zoning board to weigh variance for emergency shelter at former Days Inn
The Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on Application No. 01-2025, filed by Montgomery County, seeking a variance to convert the Days Inn at 61 W. King Street into an emergency shelter. The property is in the Highway Business zoning district and currently operates as a hotel. A public comment period is…
City Council to discuss homelessness
City Council will hold a discussion on homelessness at the request of Council Member Robert Charland. Invited guests include Erin Dalton, Lee Schmidt, and Camila Alarcon.
Council may vote to support homeless shelter at Days Inn on W. King
This special meeting of Pottstown Council includes a single substantive item: a possible motion to authorize the Solicitor to intervene on Council’s behalf in support of Montgomery County’s application for a use variance to operate an Institutional Home/Homeless Shelter at 61 W. King Street (the Days Inn), with…
Council to decide on supporting homeless shelter at 61 W. King Street
The meeting begins with a public hearing on the proposed Business Improvement District. During the council meeting, members will vote on multiple new business items, including a motion to support Montgomery County's zoning variance application for a homeless shelter at the former Days Inn, conditional use approvals…
Committee to consider making sidewalk repair program permanent
Pittsburgh's Standing Committees will discuss and vote on several items on March 5, 2025, including an ordinance to permanently adopt the Sidewalk and Curb Repair Program, a resolution to extend the Acting Chief of Police for 90 days, and multiple contracts for legal services and shelter programs. The meeting also…
Council to discuss zoning amendment permitting winter shelters as accessory use
This is a work session agenda where committees report on items discussed in detail. Notable discussion items include a proposed zoning ordinance to allow winter shelters as accessory uses, multiple alcohol requests for concerts, and several resolutions for road improvements and property dispositions. Council may move…
Committee to consider zoning amendments for temporary shelters
The Development Activities Committee will meet on February 24, 2025 to vote on several action items, including hold harmless agreements, alcohol requests for Concerts on the Creek, a conservation memorandum of understanding, and proposed zoning ordinance amendments for temporary shelters. Discussion items include a…
Council to consider VOAPA request for shelter relocation partnership
The Luzerne County Council is receiving a presentation from Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania (VOAPA) regarding a request to relocate and expand Ruth's Place, the only 24/7 emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness. VOAPA is seeking the county's partnership to apply for HUD Economic Development…