Tioga County Homeless Initiative

In 2011 we started housing homeless in local churches for the winter.  In 2012 we started renting a 100-year-old house and we were able to shelter guests all year round.  In 2016 we purchased the 100-year-old house to continue assisting the homeless of Tioga County.  Since we had the house, we have been able to assist over 100 guests each year.  Due to economic upkeep and utilities cost of the house, and its handicapped inaccessibility, the plans for a new facility came about.  With the support of our community, we have been able to complete the outer shell and underroof of the building.  Phase 2 of the building has been finished, TCHI were able to get temporary occupancies for the main floor on October 24, 2024. Shelter guests moved into the new building on October 30, 2025. With the new facility, we can assist more guests at one time. The space in the new facility allows for the separation of the individuals and a cleaner, safer environment. The building is completely handicap accessible from walking into the building to the bathrooms.  Our guests’ reaction to the new building is one of the more relaxed atmosphere. All this has been paid for without borrowing any funds. The old shelter has been demolished on December 4, 2024. Phase 3 for the building project is the basement.  The basement houses our food supply and laundry area for the house laundry not guest’s laundry. We are putting in a children’s playroom, our conference room, and A doctor exam room as we partnered with North Penn Comprehensive Health for the room. The remaining space will be for an emergency response shelter.   We need a generator for when there is a power outage.  

Our daily operations for the new facility comes with additional expenses; materials, food supplies, emergency & security and increase the number of employees.  With these additional expenses, we need more funding.