06/02/2026
The clearing of the encampment near Bantz Park calls for honest conversation about what leads a person to unsheltered homelessness, and what it truly takes to help them find stable ground.
Chronic homelessness is inseparable from health. Research published in JAMA found that 67% of people currently experiencing homelessness have a mental health disorder, with a lifetime prevalence of 77% among those who have ever been unhoused. Studies also show that more than 63% of people experiencing homelessness report physical health conditions, and nearly 58% report mental health conditions that are new or worsening after housing loss — meaning homelessness itself causes harm.
When homelessness worsens health and poor health makes it harder to secure housing, the result is a cycle that will continue without intentional, coordinated investment in both affordable housing and mental health services.
For 55 years, AHA has worked to break that cycle. We know that stable housing is one of the most powerful health interventions available. We also know that housing alone is not always enough. Many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness need wraparound support that includes mental health care, substance use treatment, and consistent, compassionate connection to services.
And those services are only as effective as the funding behind them and the trained professionals delivering them. Mental health requires sustained investment, a qualified and adequately compensated workforce, and systems designed to meet each individual's specific needs. York County needs all of these things. Our neighbors deserve nothing less.
AHA's housing communities are currently operating with waiting lists but, we believe that taking steps toward stability matters, even when the path is not immediate. If you know someone who was living at the encampment and is in need of housing, we encourage you to reach out. We will gladly provide a waiting list application. Please email us at [email protected].
