READING — Groups that serve unhoused people in Berks County may have to abandon a proven housing model or risk losing millions of dollars under expected rules from the Trump administration.
The president’s threat to end financial support for Housing First programs comes as the county experiences record amounts of unsheltered people. At the moment, nonprofits responsible for providing housing are stuck in limbo without further guidance.
Housing First programs are designed to have few, or even no, barriers to individuals obtaining reliable and permanent shelter, because once people are housed, it becomes more attainable to meet their other needs. Once sheltered, individuals also receive wrap-around services, such as job training, substance use support, or mental health counseling…