Chester County has reached a functional zero milestone for chronic homelessness, the Chester County Department of Community Development announced at its recent State of Housing Affordability and Homelessness in Chester County event. Chronic homelessness refers to long-lasting or recurring homelessness that affects a community's most vulnerable residents.

Achieving the functional zero milestone is the result of a countywide, coordinated, data-driven entry system that has reduced chronic homelessness to a rare, manageable level. Along with the Department of Community Development and the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, collaborators included nonprofit organizations, borough governments, legal aid providers, housing developers, and domestic violence advocates.

In the past five years, 52% fewer people entered emergency shelters. The 2026 Point-in-Time Count, conducted on Jan. 28 and into the early morning of Jan. 29, found a 30% decrease in homelessness compared to the previous year.

For more information about homelessness reduction efforts in Chester County, visit https://endhomelessnesschesco.org.