Sixteen percent of those identified were under the age of 18, 25% were 55 or older, and 38 individuals were U.S. veterans. They were sleeping in tents, cars, emergency shelters, transitional housing, under bridges, and on city benches.<\/p>\n
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The tent of someone staying in a local homeless encampment.Berks Coalition to End Homelessness (BCEH) \u201cAt a Stalemate\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack Williams, executive director<\/a> of\u00a0BCEH<\/a>, said major uncertainty regarding how much federal funding may be available, and when, makes it impossible to plan for 2026 or beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve basically come to a stalemate,\u201d Williams said. \u201cWe can\u2019t make decisions or enter into contracts, because we don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening with the funding we rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n BCEH is an umbrella agency that oversees services to Berks County residents and works with a network of area nonprofits that receive federal funds for a variety of projects.<\/p>\n While federal funding has increased in recent years, officials worry that proposed cuts and conditions placed on funding may badly jeopardize the work they\u2019re able to do in the future.<\/p>\n A problem this year, Williams explained, is that the\u00a0U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)<\/a>\u00a0has not yet released guidelines for next year\u2019s grant applications, which normally are due at the end of September.<\/p>\n Unable to even complete an application for funding leaves agencies completely in the dark, unable to know what to expect. Most agencies, however, are anticipating funding cuts.<\/p>\n Lorena Keely, chairwoman<\/a>\u00a0of the board of commissioners for the\u00a0Reading Housing Authority<\/a>, which works to assist individuals and families find permanent housing, agreed that future funding and policies are uncertain, and cuts may be imminent.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to keep our finger on the pulse of what\u2019s happening at the federal level, and we share the concerns of other agencies,\u201d Keely said. \u201cIf what we\u2019re hearing is being discussed comes to fruition, we need to figure out what that means for the people we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n Specifically, representatives of the housing authority are concerned about a\u00a0federal threat to end support for Housing First programs<\/a>, which enable people to attain permanent housing without having to first meet certain conditions, such as employment or mental health treatment.<\/p>\n That would disproportionately affect people struggling with chronic, long-term homelessness, Keely explained, placing additional strain on agencies addressing housing issues.<\/p>\n There also is talk of instituting a two-year voucher program, which would put a time limit on assistance for eligible participants. While Reading Housing Authority has received no notification of such a limit, officials are working to stay on top of reports.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re preparing ourselves as much as possible for any potential changes,\u201d Keely said.<\/p>\n Anticipating its 20th\u00a0anniversary next year,\u00a0Family Promise of Berks County\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0future is uncertain as it faces the possibility of severe cuts in federal funding.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/FP-Back-to-School-Event-1024x768.jpg\")
Volunteers cut children\u2019s hair during a back-to-school community event sponsored by Family Promise of Berks County.Reading Housing Authority \u201cPreparing for Changes\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BCEH-multiple-tents-edited-scaled-2-1024x768.jpg\")
Tents provide shelter for unhoused people in Berks County.Family Promise of Berks County Facing Severe Cuts to Operating Budget<\/p>\n
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Luis Ruiz Lopez, a former caseworker for Family Promise of Berks County\u2019s U Turn program, poses with a client who\u2019s just been given a bicycle to use for transportation. The U Turn program serves teens who are experiencing homelessness.Determined to Continue Serving Clients<\/p>\n