Bucks County Housing Group

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In the mid 1970's concerned community members noted that there was a growing number of homeless in Bucks County and they lobbied county government to support the establishment of a homeless shelter in Bucks. The first homeless shelter in Bucks County was opened in Penndel in 1979 and Bucks County Housing Group was incorporated to assist families and individuals on their journey from homelessness to permanent housing. In 2009 we assisted 381 homeless individuals (244 children and 137 adults), including 120 families. During the past year, six babies were born in our homeless shelter facilities. Families receive case management and social services tailored to their needs in order to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency and permanent housing. BCHG provides the largest number of homeless shelter beds in Bucks County. There are currently 512 beds, including emergency and transitional housing. BCHG has 178 transitional beds at 5 locations, and the Red Cross Shelter has 75 emergency shelter beds at their facility in Levittown. Increased number of First-Time Homebuyer Program settlements from 1 in 2008 to 15 in 2009. Of these, 11 were funded from Housing Trust Fund (00% Median Family Income), and 4 from the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (0% MFI), for a total of $91, 033.45. Initiated Bucks County's first HUD Rapid Re-Housing Program to help non-chronically homeless families receive short-term rental assistance. Provided housing counseling services to over 500 households, including face-to-face first-time homebuyer, foreclosure prevention/mitigation, rental, and financial; provided 46 community-based workshops throughout Bucks County. All of Housing Group's services were provided free of charge to county residents. Maintained 3 community food pantries in Penndel, Doylestown, and Milford Square, which had 32, 000 visits; managed hundreds of community volunteers and food drives. Provided 24 donated vehicles to homeless shelter families through Wheelz2Work program; included safety training and repairs.