Pottsville Officials Discuss “Homeless Problem” in City

Several members of City Council opened up recently about Pottsville’s apparent growing homeless population.

Prompted by questions fielded during the Public Comment portion of their September council meeting, Councilman Andy Wollyung said, “It’s very unfortunate what’s happening right now. There definitely is a homeless problem in this city.”

Wollyung indicated that he is “looking into” the homeless situation, though it may not be through his official role as a councilman.

“It is sad,” he said.

Pottsville officials admitted to the public that there’s little they can do to prevent homeless individuals from coming to the city.  

Councilman Mark Atkinson added that there are likely more homeless people in Pottsville that the public doesn’t see because they’re staying with friends or family members, sleeping on their couch.

“We can’t stop people from coming into the city or just say ‘Hey, you gotta go.’ It’s a very delicate line,” Wollyung said.

He recalled a recent instance when the homeless situation, specifically in the city’s historic downtown district, was front and center, though not literally.

Wollyung said his daughter was performing in a play at Majestic Theater on Centre St. and while taking photos, there was what they believed to be a homeless person laying on a step in the background of each of their photos.

“We have a real problem here in Pottsville,” the councilman said. 

City Administrator Tom Palamar responded to a question about the possibility of a homeless shelter for affected people. He indicated that Pottsville doesn’t have a Human Services department so the city must collaborate with entities that could help in that regard.

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