We are working hard to change perceptions and challenge the stigmas of homelessness. Chester County has a high cost of living, and the opportunities to create income do not match the available housing. There are organizations in our area coming together to address this housing disparity issue, but in the meantime we must provide support to the families that get caught in the gap. What many people do not know about families experiencing homelessness is that they don’t always fit the stereotype of what you may imagine a “homeless person” to look like. Often, both parents are working multiple jobs, but there are still gaps with the cost of housing. Their kids go to school with your kids, and they may be sitting next to you at the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or in church. In Southern Chester County, where rents are rising but wages have not kept pace, it could be something as simple as a car breaking down or a family member becoming sick that could compromise a family’s housing situation. Transportation is another big obstacle for families living in our community. With no public transportation, it is not uncommon to see workers walking or riding bicycles to get to work. With children in the local school systems, family living nearby, and jobs in the immediate area, the reality is that most families must try to balance low wages with the high cost of living in Chester County. Family Promise is here to help them navigate that gap when it occurs.