Montgomery County announces new homeless shelter in Norristown, Pennsylvania, with 50 beds to open by end of 2026

Montgomery County has announced that a new 24-hour, year-round homeless shelter in Norristown will be completed by the end of 2026. The 50-bed facility will be located at the DeKalb Center in Norristown and will offer social support programs including career readiness, counseling, financial training, and substance use disorder services. The shelter will be operated by Resources for Human Development, the county’s nonprofit partner.

The new shelter aims to address the growing need for stable housing in the area. On any given night, over 100 people experience homelessness in Norristown, according to Montgomery County officials. The facility is expected to provide a safe and supportive environment for those in need.

The shelter replaces the former Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC), which ceased operations in 2022 after the land was transferred from the state to the municipality. Norristown officials did not renew the lease for the facility, which had been the only year-round emergency housing option for single adults in the county. Since then, the county has worked to establish two additional housing options: a hotel program in Pottstown and Todi’s Place of Hope in Lansdale. The new Norristown shelter will be the third such facility.

Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas DiBello emphasized the importance of providing necessary services to help individuals regain stability. “This is a facility where we’re providing all the necessary services to help these individuals because they deserve it, they need it, and we want them to feel valued,” he stated.

The new shelter is designed to help residents transition from homelessness to a stable path, according to Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder. The project reflects a commitment to addressing housing insecurity through a combination of shelter and support services.

The shelter’s approval process includes a review by the planning commission, with Pottstown Borough Council having the final say. The facility’s completion is expected to provide a critical resource for those facing homelessness in the region.

Source: Read the original report