Delco homeless shelter faces 0,000 shortfall due to county budget cuts, raising concerns among advocates.

Breaking Bread Community, a crucial homeless shelter located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, faces an urgent financial crisis as it must secure over 0,000 in funding by May to avoid closure. Leaders of the shelter, which opened its 17-bed facility in December 2022, have been grappling with a significant budget reduction stemming from recent policy shifts by Delaware County. These adjustments, labeled as a “standardization” of the funding model, resulted in an unprecedented 70% cut to Breaking Bread’s operational budget.

Luke Stivala, co-executive director of the facility, reported that staffing cuts, reduced operating hours, and diminished meal services have already been implemented in a valiant effort to maintain the shelter’s basic functions. The ramifications of these funding cuts extend beyond Breaking Bread, as the county’s adult and family services agency experienced a million budget reduction, largely attributed to uncertain federal funding and the closure of Crozer Health System, which previously served as a cornerstone for local behavioral health services.

County spokesperson Michael Connolly emphasized that the loss of these health services has further strained the available resources for vulnerable populations in the area. For individuals like Aron Koalenberder, who depends on Breaking Bread for shelter amidst serious health issues, the closure of such resources poses an existential threat. With limited options for safe housing, many residents are bracing for the worst outcome should the shelter cease operations.

Homeless advocacy groups in Delaware County reflect deep concerns about an already fragile safety net that risks unraveling under current pressures. The county’s housing landscape has faced significant challenges in the wake of high eviction rates, with approximately 300 individuals currently facing homelessness and over 100 families on waiting lists for shelter accommodations.

Efforts are underway among local leaders and stakeholders to secure funding sources that bridge the gap left by federal cuts. Joanne Craig, chief impact officer of the Foundation of Delaware County, remarked on the necessity of a substantial influx of federal support to alleviate the growing crisis.

As the local community grapples with these challenges, Breaking Bread has temporarily relocated some operations while a two-month rent waiver has been secured for a nearby facility. However, future operational capacity at the original site will be drastically limited post-renovation, allowing space for only eight individuals.

Upper Darby Mayor Edward Brown has expressed a commitment to ensuring continuous emergency housing services, yet the reality remains daunting as the situation evolves. For residents like Stuart Keslinger, the tightening of resources could mean a return to life on the streets, exacerbating an already precarious environment for the unhoused.

Delaware County and its service providers must navigate this turbulent period with dexterity to avert a deeper humanitarian crisis affecting its most vulnerable residents.