This week our speaker was Bryce Allen, Region Coordinator from Access Services part of Street Outreach in the Norristown area.
Access Services contracts with Montgomery County responsible for acting as sort of a concierge service for the homeless in Montgomery County. Bryce along with his three counter parts do case management for directing the homeless to available resources especial shelter. Bryce has been doing this role for 2 years. They receive referrals to follow up on people homeless needing shelter and help with shelters in Norristown, Lansdale and Pottstown primarily. Currently there are about 449 homeless in the county.
Human Services opening in Norristown will be a participating shelter, Pottstown has the Opportunity House in Reading, Beacon of Hope is opening near Reading. Montgomery County is the only area county who doesn't require prior residence in the county to receive services.
Access Services is not allowed to recommend night shelters nor tell them where to live. Many of the homeless previously had homes and met unfortunate circumstances. Some refuse shelter and prefer to live outside. It was Bryce's opinion the population is growing.
