READING, Pa. – The Berks Coalition to End Homelessness is discussing a strategic plan to help focus on the growing issue.
Officials say homelessness in Berks stretches to all demographics and is present in almost all school districts across the county, even increasingly affecting senior citizens.
“When you see somebody on the street corner that’s looking a little haggard or maybe even with a sign, that’s just the very tip of the iceberg of homelessness,” said Jack Williams, executive director of the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness.
He says a lot of factors contribute to homelessness, with rising prices being a major one.
“I think the study says right now that you need about $25 an hour if you’ve got one wage earner for what they would have to pay for the average two-bedroom apartment,” Williams said.
In addition to affordable housing, another important recommendation is the need for a day center.
“Somewhere they can go, not only just for food, but maybe they can get mail there and maybe they can have a locker there where they can keep some of their documents, maybe they have got access to a washing machine and a dryer,” said Williams.
He adds, most importantly, it could also be a place to connect with case managers.
Williams calls homelessness a very complex issue.
“There are a lot of economic drivers that create homelessness situations, along with mental illness, along with drug and alcohol, along with the other inflationary factors that are all playing in a negative driving force to more homelessness,” he explained.
He says the coalition is responsible for making sure there is a follow through on the strategic plan, but the issue won’t be solved by one organization alone.
“We learned that it takes almost every aspect of our community,” added Williams. “The public officials, private officials, community service providers, plus the community in general.”