Montgomery County asks Pottstown to back zoning variance to use Days Inn as temporary homeless shelter

Montgomery County officials asked the Pottstown Borough Council on March 5 to support a zoning variance that would allow the county to use the Days Inn at 61 West King Street as a temporary hoteling program to house people experiencing homelessness. The zoning hearing board will consider the county's application on March 26, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the council meeting room; council scheduled an executive session after the March 5 meeting to discuss the application and the borough solicitor said the item will be listed for potential action at the council meeting on March 10.

The county's director of commerce, Steve Forster, said the commissioners have committed "millions of dollars" and an interdepartmental task force to the project and described the effort as part of a broader push to reach "functional zero" homelessness in Montgomery County. Forster said the county has signed a lease for 62 units at the Days Inn with an initial six-month term and nine additional six-month renewal options, a total potential term of five years. Opportunity House and the Switchpoint Foundation are named partners; Opportunity House currently leases 22 units at the hotel and the county plans to bring remaining units into its lease as they become available.

Commissioner Jamila Winder said she supported the project and noted the county's point-in-time count showed more than 500 people sleeping outdoors in Montgomery County, with about 50 in Pottstown. Commissioner Tom DeBello described the plan as temporary until Beacon of Hope or other permanent options come online and said the county will provide wraparound services "not just giving them a bed" but case management, job search help and connections to permanent housing.

County and service-provider officials described operational details and answered council questions. The lease covers 62 rooms; Opportunity House currently staffs the facility and supplies daytime case managers. Modesto Fummey, president of Opportunity House, said the operator provides overnight security from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., daily room checks, a daily staff "huddle" to review needs and is increasing on-site camera coverage. Forster and Fummey said staff presence is 24/7 and at peak times there are multiple staff on site; Opportunity House estimated two to four case managers typically present in the computer/common area to monitor use and assist residents.

Officials said residents are required to complete intake with identification when possible; when people arrive without ID staff work to confirm identity within 24 to 72 hours and help obtain replacement IDs. Services at the site include on-site meals, Wi-Fi and a bank of computers for job and housing searches, a small clothing rack and volunteer-provided meals. The program allows pets when the county and Opportunity House can ensure proper care; a veterinary service visits every two weeks, county officials said.

Forster said funding sources include county revenue and committed state funds, and he specifically credited Representative Cirici and Senator Pennycock for state support; he also thanked private partners including the Switchpoint Foundation. The county said it is pursuing similar short-term hoteling or renovation projects in other municipalities, and confirmed a site in Lansdale is advancing toward renovation and a planned groundbreaking.

Council members and public commenters raised concerns about security, length of stay and potential impacts on nearby businesses. Business owner Art Miller asked whether time limits would be enforced and how neighboring businesses would get assistance if residents caused problems; county officials replied the Days Inn operation is intended as a transitional program tied to the development of longer-term shelter and housing in the area and that security, staffing and coordination with Pottstown Police and the county sheriff's office are part of the plan. Public commenters including Nathaniel Guest of the Switchpoint Foundation and volunteers working at the Days Inn urged council to approve the variance, describing on-site services as improving residents' safety and prospects.

No final zoning decision was made by the council on March 5. Borough staff said the zoning hearing board will hold the public hearing on March 26 as noted, an executive session to discuss the application was scheduled after the March 5 meeting, and the borough solicitor stated he would list the item for potential action at the council's next meeting on March 10.