Summit on Montco homelessness is held at MCCC

Formerly homeless mother of four Ivy Harper tells her story to summit attendees. - Photo by Tamela Luce

By Erin McCarthy

BLUE BELL - Your Way Home Montgomery County held its second annual summit on reducing suburban homelessness at Montgomery County Community College on Thursday.

Nearly 200 people, including county officials, attended the event, during which program leaders discussed progress, and attendees shared their ideas during group sessions.

Joh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, said he hoped to reduce homelessness in the county by 50 percent over the next five years.

About 1,172 people in Montgomery County were homeless in 2013, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Your Way Home officials said that since January they had helped 274 people move into their own homes.

"I feel so empowered," said Ivy Harper, 45, a mother of four. Your Way Home helped Harper escape an abusive relationship and move her family from a Norristown shelter into their own home, she said.

"Your Way Home really saved our lives," Harper said.

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