Kensington Council members dispute homelessness statistics during response strategy discussion

The Special Committee on Kensington convened on May 19, 2025, to address the ongoing crisis in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. The meeting highlighted urgent discussions surrounding the rising number of deaths and the effectiveness of current outreach efforts.

Council members expressed deep concern over the increasing fatalities in Kensington, emphasizing the need for a new approach to address the crisis. One council member noted that discussions about the situation have been ongoing since November 2022, indicating a persistent and unresolved issue. The member stressed that the current strategies are failing, as evidenced by the data showing a rise in deaths, and called for a reevaluation of how the city responds to the crisis.

During the meeting, council member Jimmy Haverty raised questions about the outreach efforts in Kensington, specifically regarding the Mars outreach team, which is identifiable by their yellow vests. He inquired about the number of individuals still living on the streets and the effectiveness of the outreach efforts. The response indicated that over the past year, there were 1,500 engagements, resulting in 346 connections to care and treatment placements, as well as 300 housing placements. However, it was clarified that these figures represent engagements and not necessarily successful outcomes, leading to further frustration among council members.

The committee sought specific numbers regarding the current unhoused population in Kensington, which were not readily available. It was noted that the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) conducted a count in January, with updated figures expected in two weeks. A previous count indicated a 36% decrease in the number of individuals in Kensington from fall 2023 to fall 2024, but the council members pressed for more detailed data on the effectiveness of treatment programs and housing placements.

The meeting concluded with a call for better preparedness from outreach teams when presenting data to the council. Members expressed a desire for clear and actionable information to guide future decisions and strategies aimed at alleviating the crisis in Kensington. The discussions underscored the urgency of addressing the ongoing challenges and the need for a coordinated response to improve outcomes for the community.