Government and nonprofit officials participate in a March 24, 2025 ceremonial groundbreaking of a new short term supportive housing facility in Lansdale. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
This shelter will be able to house approximately 20 individuals in a modern short-term supportive housing facility
Government and nonprofit leaders gathered Monday to mark the start of turning an office building into a supportive short-term housing facility as a step to address homelessness in Montgomery County.
“This is a tremendous moment for progress in housing security,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The development came months after the county entered into a lease agreement with the Lansdale-based Liberty Bell Realty Co. for the roughly 4,800-square-foot space at 1107 E. Main St.
The 20-bed facility will aim to provide shelter and supportive services to those experiencing homelessness across the North Penn region, with officials anticipating a fall 2025 opening date.
Rates of homelessness have been on the rise in a county without a major operational shelter in nearly three years. County commissioners made a “bold commitment” to tackle the joint housing and homelessness crises by allocating funding for the initiative as part of the 2025 budget process, designating $1.3 million for operational costs and $2 million from the county’s capital improvement program.
The project followed negotiations between the county, Lansdale borough and housing advocates, as each underscored the need for strong government and community support. The Philadelphia-based Resources for Human Development will serve as the provider agency for the facility and supportive programs.
Resources for Human Development previously operated the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center on the grounds of the Norristown State Hospital. The brick-and-mortar space serving as the only homeless shelter for single adults closed in June 2022 when the land on which the building sat was conveyed to the Municipality of Norristown for development.
“It’s a critical step towards ensuring every member of our community has a place to stay and needs housing support. We believe communities are strongest when we all work together and provide people with the basic needs,” said Resources for Human Development Regional Director Owen Camuso, of the new planned facility.
The facility will have single and double occupancy rooms, bathrooms, showers and laundry, and a community space. Additional case management services will focus on mental and behavioral health, employment training, and gaining access to food, benefits, and veterans services.
“It’s the wraparound services that we’re going to be providing here … that are truly going to help everyone throughout the county that are homeless,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello.
Lansdale representatives were described as a “true example of leadership” by Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder.
“I applaud Lansdale for having the courage to step up and be a part of the solution, and [for] having the courage to treat every neighbor that is struggling in their borough with the care and compassion that everyone in Montgomery County deserves,” Winder said during the ceremony Monday.
“The experience can be best be summed up by — and I want my fellow municipal leaders to hear this — when a municipality has the will, the county will find a way. I think both pieces have to be there,” said Lansdale Council Vice President Meg Currie Teoh.
