Need never takes a vacation
August 22, 2007
By Angela Sherwood, CHS Housing Specialist
From The Mercury (Also appeared in the Intelligencer)
For many of us, summer is a welcomed time to indulge in sun and fun. It is a time to get together with family and friends to enjoy backyard barbeques and picnics at the park. It is not the time of year that we typically associate with the needs of thehomeless, near homeless, and the ever increasing working poor. For those of us who help with persons in crisis on a daily basis, we are aware of the overwhelming call for services that exist for this population, no matter the season.
Here at Community Housing Services, the change of season means that the heating and oil needs of the colder months change into a need for electric fans and air conditioners. The priority of assisting with these items and the utility bills they create ranks so high because they are the same bills that keep our elderly, small children, and others in at risk situations from avoiding serious health issues during our hottest of days.
Winter months inspire donations of holiday trimmings and a turkey or ham to make the occasion that much more magical for a family in need. AS times of joy and celebration pass, the need for donations to maintain sustenance does not. Individuals and families find themselves hungry even when the holidays are not around the corner. During these summer months, as the creek beds dry up and the grass browns and withers, so do the contents of our food cupboards. The front page article "Bare Cupboards" featured in the Aug. 4 edition of The Reporter, affirmed that the lack of resources has affected many of the mainstream agencies that serve the low income population. It was reported in that article that agencies such as the Indian Valley Opportunity Center and Manna on Main Street are facing shortages in food and other daily necessities. "Right now, at the end of summer, going into early fall, the cupboards bare." - Aaron Brown Director of outreach and development of Manna on Main street.
The desperate need for affordable housing for the homeless and low income neighbors does not subside as the temperatures rise. Currently, many "shelters" are reporting six month waiting lists. Limited funding and resources do not allow agencies to help all who should be assisted. With the cost of rooming houses and apartment rentals ever climbing out of the range of those in crisis, many are forced to sleep in their car, or are doubled up in spaces temporarily - if they are lucky. The need for more housing alternatives is at an all time high. In all seriousness, we have reached "crisis" level.
The rising rates of home foreclosures forecast an upsurge in the number of individuals who will be forced to seek assistance. These individuals will most likely turn to agencies who now struggle with decreasing funds and a huge flux in the client population they serve.
So when the local news warnings go from a code blue to a code red, wee need to remember that homelessnes, hunger, and the need for emergency assistance never take a vacation.