Journalist Roundtable: Unhoused Crisis in Harrisburg

The Spark

The U.S. Supreme Court decided earlier this year that cities can enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors, even in areas where shelter space is lacking. John Leciew, Pennlive Patriot News Reporter has been following the unhoused trends in Harrisburg and Cumberland County.

"It is right here in our backyard. Everyone was seeing it. We definitely saw more homeless, in the Harrisburg area. And we'd like everybody else who would drive into the city and witness it, wanted to know what was going on with them. So we we approached it from very, all angles, looking at the agencies who were coordinating and trying to serve the various needs of the homeless, but also then getting into the shelters and talking to the homeless themselves and actually going to some of the tent encampments along the river and knocking on tents and just trying to get the stories of what led people to homelessness, "said Luciew.

There were nearly 16 homeless encampments along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. As spring approached, City Spokesman Matt Maisel announced the unhoused people had to vacate the area.

"Well, I do think that is part of the ongoing dialog between the city, which is trying to manage being a livable city for all citizens and all visitors who come to to come to these major events on Riverfront Park and the homelessness, the homeless people and the people who help serve them, "said Luciew.

Two best known Shelters in Harrisburg is the Bethseda Mission and YWCA. While following this story, Luciew found there were more organizations stepping in to help the unhoused people.

"During the winter, there is a drop in shelter run by Downtown Daily Bread, which is the, right across from the Capitol building that provides hot meals, every day of the week, every day of the year around lunchtime. But they also have other services that are focused on the homeless there, including a visiting health program where they they get regular checkups. And if they have chronic issues, they have their issues treated. They also have, mail service. In other words, if you're homeless, living in a tent, you don't get any mail. And but but you can have your mail delivered to Downtown Daily Bread," said Luciew.

Listen to the podcast to hear more of the conversation.

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