Thu Sep 19 09:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Lancaster Community to Discuss Housing Crisis at Public Forum

**Lancaster, PA** – The Lancaster Southwest Community (SoWe) is hosting a free public forum on September 25th to address the growing housing crisis impacting the city. The event, titled “Community Conversation on Housing and Homelessness,” will take place at 7 p.m. at Tec Centro West, 57 Laurel St.

The forum comes in response to the closure of Lancaster County’s only low-barrier shelter in June and the rising cost of housing in the city. Amos Stoltzfus, SoWe neighborhood director at Tenfold, notes that homelessness is increasingly visible and that many residents, particularly in southwest Lancaster, are struggling with affordability.

The conversation will feature a diverse panel of speakers including state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition Director Deb Jones, Tenfold outreach worker Milan Koneff, and Dave Anctil, a member of the Homeless Advocacy Board. Anctil will share his personal experience with homelessness.

The event aims to raise awareness about the impact of housing costs, promote empathy for those experiencing homelessness, and inspire community members to get involved through volunteering, donating, and advocacy. The Culliton Park Working Group, comprised of outreach workers, nonprofits, and volunteers who provide resources to the homeless, initiated the forum.

Organizers hope the discussion will foster a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing Lancaster and spark constructive solutions to address the growing housing crisis.

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