Action Plan for Welcoming Public Spaces

The Welcoming Public Spaces plan, launched in 2023, outlines action steps to ensure public spaces in Lancaster City are safe and welcoming for everyone. The plan is a collaboration between Lancaster City Alliance, Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authority Homelessness Coalition, and the City of Lancaster. These organizations coordinate the four components of this plan and facilitate collaboration between the plan stakeholders.

Cleanliness & Security: Promote safe, healthy, and legal behavior in public spaces through presence of public, private, and non-profit partner organizations.
Social Services: Coordinate supportive services for community members experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Programming: Provide for accessible and diverse use of public space programming, promoting positive event experiences.
Communication: Shares information with public and private stakeholders and promotes plan initiatives.

April 2025 Plan Update (PDF)

Ways To Help

Your support can help fund:

The new, low-barrier Clay Street Shelter
Expanded outreach efforts
Temporary shelter spaces
The Prince Street Community Hub for homelessness services
Ensure free meals are available
Support affordable housing

Lancaster County Homelessness & Affordable Housing Fund

The Lancaster County Homelessness & Affordable Housing Fund is used to support the Prince Street Community Hub. This Hub will be a facility dedicated to providing support for individuals and families at risk of or actively experiencing homelessness. During the day, individuals and families can find resources they need to help find and maintain stable housing including case management, laundry, shower, and locker services. The space will also offer crisis shelter and supportive rental units.

Donate to the Affordable Housing Fund

Public Safety in Public Spaces

When to call Emergency
911

Emergency Situations: If you witness a crime in progress, someone’s safety is at immediate risk, or there’s a situation requiring urgent police intervention, please call 911. This includes violent incidents, active drug transactions, or if someone is threatening harm.

When to call Non-Emergency
(717) 664-1180

For issues that don’t require immediate police action but still need attention, such as ongoing disturbances, trespassing, or harassment that’s not escalating, please call our non-emergency line. This allows us to document these incidents and take appropriate action to address recurring problems. Reporting the time and date of incident or sharing video is still helpful, even if immediate action isn’t needed.

When to use Fix It!
Online

Maintenance and Public Space Issues: For concerns related to park maintenance, graffiti, or other non-police related issues, please use Fix It! Lancaster to report issues or make requests. This platform allows you to report these problems directly and helps the City keep our public spaces well-maintained.