St. Joseph’s Family Hope Center in Brookhaven, one of only two homeless shelters for families in Delaware County, could close as early as Oct. 31, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

The building was sold by Our Lady of Charity Parish to Brookhaven Borough.

The center has operated at 245 Upland Road for eight years.

Brookhaven Mayor Denise Leslie and Brookhaven Council President Terry Heller said they had intended to keep the center at the property, but Pennsylvania Borough Code won’t this type of facility to be run by a municipality.

Family Hope Center, which currently has eight residents, but can accommodate 18, is asking the borough for a year’s extension.

“We’ve never had one complaint about the center. We’ve never had any police activity at the center. We’ve never had any issues — it’s as if they aren’t even there,” Heller said.

James Roberts, executive director of Family Hope Center worries that without a shelter, hundreds of Delaware County families facing homelessness could suffer a grueling winter.

Family Hope Center is looking at another location and the county will “ensure the relocation of the remaining families” before the closure, according to a Delaware County spokesperson.

Read more about the history of the Saint Joseph’s Family Hope Center at WHYY.