In response to increases in homelessness and poverty in Chester County, Good Samaritan Services has doubled its service capacity by transitioning two of its housing facilities into emergency shelters. Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, Good Sam re-evaluated the needs of the community and reallocated its resources. With assistance from continued partnership with the Chester County Department of Community Development, Good Sam has been able to pivot its programs to meet the immediate needs of the Phoenixville community.

Good Sam has been providing emergency shelter for those in need since 2002. The original capacity of Good Sam was five men. Over the past 20 years, Good Sam has expanded its service capacity to 84 individuals per year with three facilities located on High Street in Phoenixville. Good Sam's emergency shelter participants are connected to community resources that could help them go directly to permanent housing. If that is not an option, they have the option to take advantage of Good Sam's many programs, such as Residential Housing or Housing Support Services, to help them obtain stable independent housing.

A virtual tour of the renovated facilities will take place on Wednesday, May 26, at 1 p.m. via Facebook Live. Register to watch at https://fb.me/e/4c47D51Qm. Anyone who is experiencing homelessness may call 211 and ask for Good Samaritan Services.