Tenfold's Temporary Shelter
The Challenge
Every day, members of our community are sleeping on sidewalks and park benches because they have nowhere else to go. Homelessness has continued to rise, both in Lancaster County and nationwide, and many homeless shelters are operating at maximum capacity, leaving many individuals unsheltered.
In October 2024, Tenfold recognized that an additional problem was facing the unsheltered community. Lancaster’s previous low-barrier shelter had closed over the summer, and the new low-barrier shelter would not be ready to open until the end of December.
Low-barrier shelters give individuals experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep at night, with minimum requirements for entry. With no low-barrier shelter available in Lancaster County during the months of November and December, many individuals would be sleeping outside in increasingly cold weather, facing uncomfortable and dangerous conditions.
The Challenge Answer
Recognizing the challenge facing our community, Tenfold stepped up to provide a solution: transforming our parking garage into a low-barrier shelter, to meet this need until the permanent low-barrier shelter could be completed. Tenfold launched a fundraising campaign, and within 7 days, reached its goal of $200,000 to operate the temporary shelter. Then, in the span of just 10 days, the garage was transformed. Heaters, portable toilets, and cots were brought in, and safety inspections were completed.
On November 4, 2024, Tenfold’s Temporary Shelter opened. Over the course of the next two months, the Temporary Shelter served over 190 different individuals, providing them a safe place to sleep during the cold winter nights. The shelter also saw incredible support from the community, with many volunteering their time to work at the shelter or donating necessity items for shelter guests.
Shelter Guest Experiences
One couple sought help from Tenfold, as they and their three children were facing homelessness. The father was staying at Tenfold’s Temporary Shelter, while the mother and their children were staying in a program specifically for mothers. However, the mother was unable to meet the requirements of the program and was therefore being exited. As a result, she had nowhere to go with their children. Tenfold staff identified that there was an opening at Tenfold’s TLC shelter and referred the couple there. The mother, father, and three kids were able to reunite and move into a unit at TLC together.
A single gentleman, who was employed but had nowhere to live, stayed at the Tenfold Temporary Shelter from the beginning. Simultaneously, he worked with Tenfold’s Pathways program and diligently searched for affordable housing. After about three weeks of working, having a consistent place to sleep at night, and partnering with his Pathways case manager, he was able to move into his own apartment.
Volunteer Testimonials
Tenfold was extremely grateful to have the support of many volunteers, who assisted with checking guests into the shelter in the evenings and cleaning up the shelter space in the mornings. On average, volunteers provided around 175 hours of service each week.
“As a Lancaster city resident, this has been a real way to feel connected and useful to the community that I live in” –Jade, Temporary Shelter Volunteer
“One thing that has surprised me is how grateful people are for the shelter and the individuals working there. The same goes for my times at the community meals – over and over I hear people saying thank you and bless you and I can see how important these services are for them” –Bill, Temporary Shelter Volunteer
Next Steps
In January 2025, Lancaster’s permanent low-barrier shelter, operated by the YMCA of the Roses, successfully opened, and after a brief transition period, Tenfold’s Temporary Shelter closed. Overall, the Temporary Shelter was a successful response to a huge challenge in the Lancaster community. Ending homelessness is an ongoing effort that requires a multifaceted approach, and Tenfold is committed to finding practical and innovative ways to continue that work.
Interested in supporting Tenfold’s work and learning more about what we do? Join us for a fun-filled night of celebration and fundraising at Decades on May 20th, 2025! Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.