Homelessness in Bucks County has reached a critical level, with a 25% rise in 2024 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The number of individuals experiencing homelessness jumped from 320 to 409 last year, which reflects an alarming trend that surpasses the 18% national increase.
Because of the staggering rise, the growing challenges in addressing affordable housing, poverty, and systemic gaps in support for the region’s most vulnerable residents are clear.
Local nonprofits and advocates are stepping up to tackle the crisis, and the YWCA Bucks County has received significant support to enhance its efforts.
The Bezos Families Fund awarded the organization $1.25 million, the largest single donation in its 70-year history.
This transformative grant will enable the YWCA to expand its programs, such as Rapid Rehousing and Shared Housing, which assist families and individuals in transitioning to permanent housing through rental assistance, case management, and other essential services.
Jeff Bezos created the Bezos Families Fund in 2018 to help nonprofits across the U.S. combat family homelessness.
In 2024, the fund distributed more than $110 million to 40 organizations, including $1.25 million for Bucks County’s YWCA and $5 million for Impact Services in nearby Philadelphia.
With these funds, the goal is that “no child sleeps outside,” addressing the most urgent needs of unhoused families nationwide.
The surge in Bucks County’s homeless population is a result of numerous compounding factors, including soaring rents and the rollback of pandemic-era protections like rental assistance, eviction moratoriums, and expanded Medicaid.
For example, a one-bedroom apartment that once cost $1,000 now averages $1,400, and that’s a significant increase.
And now, renters must show proof of income at least three times the rent to qualify for housing, an enormous hurdle for many workers in Bucks County earning $30,000 to $40,000 annually.
Local advocates argue Bucks County must prioritize affordable housing solutions and stronger protections for renters to address these challenges effectively.
“The lack of affordable housing options is pushing families and individuals into homelessness,” says Murielle Kelly, Director of Housing Services for the Family Service Association of Bucks County.
She points out that the county’s underemployed population struggles to meet basic financial requirements, which prices many out of the market.
The YWCA Bucks County’s new funding is crucial in addressing these issues, but the demand for support continues to outpace available resources.
As of now, 84 people are on the county’s waiting list for emergency shelter, including 34 single men and three single women.
Families with children receive priority, leaving many individuals and elderly residents without immediate options.
Advocates note that Bucks County’s homeless population includes a growing number of seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses, such as heart failure and kidney disease, further complicating the crisis.
The Coalition to Shelter & Support the Homeless is another critical player in addressing Bucks County’s homeless needs.
The organization provides emergency overnight shelters during the coldest months, but its resources are stretched thin.
In December 2024, the coalition averaged 22 people per night, nearly doubling the previous year’s count.
Volunteers and local churches help keep the program running, but rising demand highlights the urgency for systemic change.
Street outreach workers also report increasing numbers of families experiencing homelessness, often resorting to living in cars or doubling up with relatives.
The families face long waits for shelter placements and limited access to senior housing or permanent solutions.
“It takes forever to get into senior housing,” notes Brandi Stewart, a nurse providing healthcare to homeless residents.
She describes the growing need for supplies such as blankets and jackets, which are depleted faster than they can be restocked.
Rising rents, insufficient income, and a lack of affordable housing have left many residents without viable options.
Experts warn that the crisis will continue to escalate without policy interventions, leaving nonprofits and community organizations to shoulder the burden.
The Bezos Family Fund grant offers hope to Bucks County’s homeless population, enabling the YWCA to expand its efforts and provide critical resources to families in need.
However, systemic change is essential to ensure support reaches everyone impacted by this growing crisis.
As Bucks County faces one of its most challenging periods in recent history, collaboration between nonprofits, advocates, and policymakers will be key to reversing the alarming trends and providing lasting solutions.
