The executive action makes it easier for cities and states to remove homeless people from the streets by ending consent decrees that limit local and state governments' ability to move homeless people into treatment centers and other facilities.
The issues that pertain to homelessness that the executive order focuses on are seen in Erie County.
The 2024 PA 605 In Time Census, as cited by the Erie County Home Team Homeless and Housing Coalition, provides the following statistics of note for the county:
454 residents in Erie County we’re identified as homeless.
76 residents were unsheltered and living in a place that was considered inhumane.
378 were living in an emergency shelter or a transitional housing program.
37 families could be found in shelters consisting of 116 people and 37 children under the age of 18.
47% of adults dealing with homelessness battled mental illness while 36% battled substance abuse.
An additional 577 people were in supportive housing or considered “near homeless."
"Talking to all of my colleagues across the country like in Philadelphia, their challenges are far different than ours in Erie County," Erie County Executive Brenton Davis said. "Honestly, I am thankful for the first world problems that we have. For all the different things that we have, we know what the finite number is and if you know what the number is then you can work towards solving it."
From 2024: Erie County opens single-site location for Our Neighbors' Place overflow homeless shelter
What to know about the executive order
The executive order is divided into several objectives, according to Whitehouse.gov which provides the following order details:
The purpose and policy (of the order) which is due to the endemic vagrancy, disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations and violent attacks making cities unsafe.
Restoring civil commitment and what to take appropriate action on.
Fighting vagrancy on America’s streets and how immediate steps will be taken to assess grants.
The redirection of federal resources towards effective methods of addressing homelessness and where to take appropriate action.
The increase in accountability and safety in America’s homelessness programs.
Finally, the general provisions of the order.
The full order can be found on Whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions.
"To me, anything that provides a resource to local government to be flexible to solve the issues in our community I fully support," Davis said.
Organizations in Erie to assist with homelessness
In Erie, there are multiple organizations that are on the front lines in battling homelessness, including but not limited to the Erie City Mission, Mercy Center for Women, Mental Health Association, Emmaus Soup Kitchen, Erie County Care Management and more.
Endhomlessnesseirecountypa.org provides a list of multiple resources from shelters to free clothing to medical services and more.
More: Could visit to Erie's Mercy Center for Women help the state craft a maternal health plan?
"I can only speak to this locally, Erie County is a social service-rich environment," Davis said. "Everything is finite, resources and funding are finite. I think it’s a matter of finding an array of tools to make it more accessible and flexible. That’ll be the key."
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What to know about homelessness in Erie County
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