Tap Talks will return to the Market Lounge at GearHouse Brewing Co. in Chambersburg this spring with two free evening programs exploring how housing affects community health in Franklin County.
Healthy Franklin County and South Central Community Action Programs will host “Housing on the Brink” on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at GearHouse Brewing Co., 253 Grant Street, Chambersburg. The discussion will examine how rising costs and a tight housing inventory are putting affordable options out of reach for many residents. Presenters will look at local market trends and walk through housing access programs, including vouchers, public housing and income-based options available to qualifying households in Franklin County and neighboring communities.
The series will conclude Wednesday, April 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. with “Housing Systems & Solutions,” also at GearHouse’s Market Lounge. That session will explore how the broader housing system functions and highlight collaborative efforts by local partners to address shortages and improve affordability across Franklin County and the greater Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Greencastle and Washington County region. Both events are free and open to the public, and organizers encourage attendees to grab a drink, bring a friend and stay for conversation and connection.
Megan Shreve, CEO of South Central Community Action Programs, and Alana Anderson, @Home coordinator for Adams and Franklin counties, will lead both Tap Talk sessions. SCCAP’s @Home initiative focuses on housing stability as a foundation for health, income and education, and works with partners to connect residents to resources that can prevent homelessness or shorten shelter stays. Healthy Franklin County, a community health coalition, views housing affordability and access as key social determinants of health and is using the Tap Talks series to spark informed, solutions-focused discussion.
Tap Talks are designed as relaxed, social conversations rather than formal lectures, giving Franklin County residents a chance to ask questions, share experiences and learn how policy decisions and local programs shape everyday life. Organizers say that understanding housing pressures in communities such as Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Greencastle and nearby Washington County can help residents, landlords, nonprofits and local officials work together on practical steps toward a healthier region. More information about SCCAP and its housing work is available at sccap.org, and details on the full Tap Talks series can be found through Healthy Franklin County’s online event listings.
