WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has reached a functional zero milestone for chronic homelessness, marking a significant reduction in one of the most persistent forms of housing instability and placing the county among a growing number of communities using data-driven strategies to address homelessness.
The milestone was announced by the Chester County Department of Community Development during its recent State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County event. Functional zero does not mean homelessness has been eliminated. Instead, it indicates that chronic homelessness has been reduced to a level where systems can quickly identify and house individuals experiencing it, making the condition rare and manageable.
County officials credited a coordinated countywide response that combines data tracking, housing interventions, and collaboration among government agencies, nonprofits, housing providers, and community organizations.
In a joint statement, the Chester County Commissioners described the achievement as the result of years of coordinated work focused on housing stability and evidence-based solutions.
“There is great momentum in Chester County, and thanks to the incredible efforts of the County’s stakeholders, a corner has been turned in responding to homelessness,” the commissioners stated. “We know that stable, affordable housing is the foundation for addressing health, employment, and other challenges, and that lasting progress comes from decisions based on data, a commitment to housing stability, and investments in proven solutions.”
County data show measurable declines in homelessness over the past several years.
The number of people entering emergency shelters fell 52% over five years, dropping from 1,165 individuals in 2021 to 564 in 2025. First-time homelessness also declined 10% between 2024 and 2025.
The county’s 2026 Point-in-Time Count, conducted Jan. 28-29, identified 219 people experiencing homelessness, a 30% decrease from the previous year. Officials noted that the figure represents the second-lowest homelessness count recorded in Chester County in more than a decade and remains well below both the five-year average of 316 and the 10-year average of 431.
Department of Community Development Director Dolores Colligan pointed to the county’s broad network of organizations as a key factor behind the progress.
“What we have here in Chester County is a diverse community ecosystem,” Colligan said. “We have small borough governments working alongside nonprofits; faith-based organizations standing beside legal aid providers; and housing developers partnering with domestic violence advocates.”
“That kind of cross-sector collaboration is rare, and it is something Chester County should be genuinely proud of,” she added.
The county’s efforts have also drawn recognition from Community Solutions, the national organization behind the Built for Zero initiative, a network of more than 100 communities working to reduce and end homelessness through measurable outcomes.
“Chester County has proven to be on the leading edge of solving homelessness and an exceptional leader in harnessing the power of data,” said LoriAnn Girvan, principal of strategy and impact at Community Solutions.
Local service providers indicated that shared data and coordinated planning have helped organizations target resources more effectively.
“Aligning our data, resources, and collective energy has allowed Open Hearth, the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, and the Department of Community Development to move forward with clarity and purpose in reducing homelessness,” said Kelly Raggazino, CEO of Open Hearth Inc.
County officials noted that the functional zero milestone reflects a broader goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring through continued investment in housing stability, prevention efforts, and coordinated community partnerships.
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