Montco is preparing to open three full-time, short-term emergency shelters by the end of 2025, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
This marks a dramatic shift for a county that had zero permanent shelters just one year ago.
The new facilities in Pottstown, Lansdale, and Norristown will provide a combined 190 beds. The move comes as homelessness in Montgomery County continues to rise. The number grew from 435 people in 2024 to 534 in 2025, even as the county remains Pennsylvania’s second-wealthiest.
What’s notable is how the effort came together. The three-member Board of Commissioners, Democrats Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder, alongside Republican Tom DiBello, found rare consensus around the need for direct action. Together, they committed $5.3 million in county funding, personally attended zoning hearings, and worked to overcome fierce neighborhood opposition that has historically stalled shelter projects.
The county has also leaned into partnerships. In Lansdale, a $1 million private donation from Penn Manufacturing Industries president Nand Todi helped move the shelter forward, while county funds are also supporting projects like Ardmore House II, an affordable housing development in Lower Merion.
To learn more about Montgomery County’s housing strategy and shelter expansion, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.
