Downtown Daily Bread in Harrisburg
Harrisburg has sent $1 million to two local shelters so they can expand services for the unhoused.
On Friday, the city announced that Downtown Daily Bread and Christian Churches United each received $500,000 to increase capacity at their overnight shelters and expand them from seasonal to year-round, starting on Nov. 1.
On Tuesday, City Council, by a 6-1 vote, approved a budget transfer that reallocated the money, which originated with the city’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. In July, the city had announced its intention to offer this money to the two shelters.
“This money will be able to help address our city’s growing unhoused population immediately,” said Mayor Wanda Williams.
Previously, both downtown shelters operated only during the cold-weather months, from Dec. 1 to March 31.
“It has always been a hope of mine to be able to provide overnight shelter for our neighbors all year round,” said Corrie Lingenfelter, executive director of Downtown Daily Bread.
The city considered the shelter expansion vital as Harrisburg’s largest homeless encampment is situated on land that PennDOT expects to occupy as it replaces the South Bridge, starting next year. That encampment is underneath the current bridge and on adjacent property.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to be able to expand our services to those dealing with
homelessness,” said Darrel Reinford, executive director at Christian Churches United. “Providing a safe place for someone to sleep is essential to provide them with some measure of dignity and help them get back on their feet.”
The city has not spent most of its ARPA funds, with $31.5 million still slated for other programs, such as home repairs, affordable housing, a new pool, trash bill forgiveness and other projects.
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