Harrisburg officials have declared the encampment under the Mulberry Street bridge a danger and is forcing all the people living there to move out so it can be cleaned.
Jeremy Long / WITF
2026 Pennsylvania Homelessness Count Highlights Ongoing Housing Challenges
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Asia Tabb
Jeremy Long / WITF
Harrisburg officials have declared the encampment under the Mulberry Street bridge a danger and is forcing all the people living there to move out so it can be cleaned.
aired; June 29, 2026
How many people are experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania, and what do the numbers really tell us? On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb spoke with Rachael Bertolet, Continuum of Care Manager for the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, about the 2026 Point-in-Time Count and how the annual effort helps communities better understand homelessness across the commonwealth.
Bertolet explained that the federally required count provides a snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night each January. The conversation explored how the data guides funding decisions, identifies community needs, and helps local organizations plan housing and support services. While the Point-in-Time Count is only a snapshot, Bertolet emphasized that it remains a critical tool in shaping long-term strategies to address homelessness in Pennsylvania.