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Housing
Transitional Living
Homelessness affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and has a variety of causes, including chemical dependency, unemployment, and domestic abuse. For this reason, the YMCA of Reading and Berks County has a number of transitional living programs which serve a variety of populations. Each program provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting and employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Eligibility Criteria
- Homeless or sleeping in an environment not suitable for occupancy.
- Drug and alcohol free for at least five consecutive days.
- Interested in achieving financial self-sufficiency.
- Motivated to remain clean and sober.
- Committed to setting goals and working to achieve them.
- Able to participate in outpatient counseling.
Housing Application
Click here to apply online.
Click here to access a PDF version of our housing application. Please return your completed application to 631 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601.
Partners
Programs are collaborative projects of the County of Berks, City of Reading, Department of Public Welfare, Council on Chemical Abuse, Service Access Management, Inc., Housing and Urban Development, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Berks County Probation Department. The Bridge Houses and SAFE Houses are funded, in part, through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, County of Berks and the Single County Authority.
Bridge House (Women's)
The Women’s Bridge House is designed to provide transitional housing and support for women who are homeless with a substance use disorders who wants to work towards becoming self-sufficient, independent by staying Substance Free and being Employed.
Substance abuse does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. The Women’s Bridge House provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
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12/01/24 - 12/31/24
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Register at front desk |
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01/01/25 - 01/31/25
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Register at front desk |
Camp Joy (Men's)
The Camp Joy Housing Program of the YMCA of Reading is located at 1120 Berks Road Leesport, Pa 19533 and is designed to provide transitional housing for men with substance use disorder who are also involved in the Berks County criminal justice system. Camp Joy is a newly remodeled twenty bed facility that provides safe housing and support services to allow residents to become productive and self-supporting members of our society.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
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12/01/24 - 12/31/24
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Register at front desk |
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01/01/25 - 01/31/25
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Register at front desk |
Dual Diagnosis (Men's)/Twin Peaks
The Dual Diagnosis/Twin Peaks program is a supportive housing program designed to provide transitional housing for homeless men with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health. Applicants must be stabilized on their medications and able to abide by program guidelines.
Substance abuse and mental health does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. The Dual Diagnosis/Twin Peaks program provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Hacia Adelante
Hacia Adelante is designed to provide support to men and women with substance use disorders to help them work toward becoming self-sufficient.
Substance abuse does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. For this reason, the YMCA of Reading and Berks County has a new transitional living and recovery program, Hacia Adelante, to support the Spanish speaking community of Berks County. Hacia Adelante provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills and take ESL classes as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Hacia Adelante está diseñado para brindar apoyo a hombres y mujeres dependientes de sustancias químicas para ayudarlos a alcanzar la autosuficiencia.
El abuso de sustancias no discrimina y afecta a personas de todas las edades, razas, géneros y etnias y ámbitos de la vida. Por esta razón, el YMCA de Reading y el Condado de Berks tiene un nuevo programa de transición y recuperación, Adelante está aquí para apoyar a la comunidad de habla hispana del Condado de Berks. Hacia Adelante brinda administración de casos en un esfuerzo por abordar las causas fundamentales de la falta de vivienda. Los participantes del programa aprenden habilidades para vivir, presupuestan clases de ESL y habilidades laborales mientras trabajan para alcanzar la autosuficiencia.
Contact
Edwin Salgado
610 378-4760
Registration Information
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
12/01/24 - 12/31/24
|
Register at front desk |
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01/01/25 - 01/31/25
|
Register at front desk |
Men's Bridge House
The Bridge House is designed to provide transitional housing and support for men who are homeless with substance use disorders by helping them work toward becoming self-sufficient. Substance abuse does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. The Bridge House provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Single Room Occupancy (General)
The YMCA offers rooms for rent to single men and women. Residents are exempt from the program eligibility requirements, although the Y strives to maintain a recovery atmosphere.
Registration Information ($100.00 One time registration fee)
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
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12/22/24 - 12/28/24
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Register at front desk |
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12/29/24 - 01/04/25
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Register at front desk |
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01/05/25 - 01/11/25
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Register at front desk |
Single Room Occupancy (Serenity Hall)
The YMCA offers rooms for rent to single men and women. Residents are exempt from the program eligibility requirements, although the Y strives to maintain a recovery atmosphere.
Contact Info:
Mary Halstead
610-378-4720
Gary Matthews
610-378-4706
Registration Information ($100.00 One time registration fee)
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
12/22/24 - 12/28/24
|
Register at front desk |
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12/29/24 - 01/04/25
|
Register at front desk |
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01/05/25 - 01/11/25
|
Register at front desk |
Specialty Court (SCP)
Registration Information
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
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12/01/24 - 12/31/24
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Register at front desk |
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01/01/25 - 01/31/25
|
Register at front desk |
Women's Bridge House w/Children - Y Haven
The Women’s Bridge House w/Children- Y Haven is designed to provide transitional housing and support for single mothers with up to 2 children (no older than 11). who are homeless with a substance use disorder and wants to work towards becoming self-sufficient, independent and employed by staying substance free.
Substance abuse does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. The Women’s Bridge House provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency. The maximum length of stay is 2 years the program is designed in a group home setting providing support and education to mothers.
Contact Info:
Siramad Nieves
610-378-4725