| The Connection
a publication of the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc. |
| ...keeping you up-to-date on local, state and national homeless issues | |
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"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."
Mother Teresa
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FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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Katheryn Preston |
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The Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness (GCEH) is acknowledging the difficult times that many of Georgia's families, children and individuals are currently facing. Through the GCEH Help Line (1-877-243-1576) the Information Specialists are answering more calls for referrals than ever before. Many of the persons calling are employed or have been employed until recently. Most are embarrassed that they find themselves and their children in a position of having to ask for help. The current economic situation is multifaceted and beside the persons seeking help are the providers of the homeless support and mainstream services whom are equally overwhelmed and too short on funding to be able to effectively meet all the needs.
Times such as these call upon each of us to take drastic measures and we all have a responsibility. It is going to take more than just stimulus dollars to correct the path on which we are headed. There are changes that are causing shifts in our core values nationally, locally and individually. Many are discovering that no longer is it important to have the biggest SUV in your neighborhood; facing the realization that big houses with bigger house notes are not really necessary to be happy; right down to how we spend our time leisurely: and even how we eat is changing. As we are reluctant to admit and take control of the waste this country has endured and encouraged there is a need to reevaluate our priorities. Ultimately it is time that we all return to core values built upon the concepts of community building and partnerships. Working alone may be seen as the easiest route; however, it tends to promote weaker structures on islands that are at greater risk of collapsing. No one ever said that change would be easy and we acknowledge that if it were easy then it wouldn't be worth the time nor the effort it takes. I want to encourage that we all use this as an opportunity to reevaluate ourselves, our organizations, our partnerships, and the needs of our communities. It is important that we actively have dialogues built around the concept of prevention and the populations we each serve. We all have strengths, gifts and talents that when combined can produce the most effective Continuums of Care for the homeless and persons at risk of becoming homeless.
In the next few months, GCEH will be working with various media outlets telling the stories of families and children who have overcome the obstacles encountered in their homelessness; making it known who Georgia's homeless really are; walking with Zach Bonner as he calls for attention to the numbers of homeless children in our state; updating the GCEH Provider Enhancement Network (PEN) to more effectively meet the needs of persons looking for assistance; hosting Town Hall Meeting/s; bringing trainings to your communities; building upon our Learning Communities concept that so many have been interested in joining; supporting communities by facilitating community assessments; and continuing the Quality Enhancement Standards and Support Training and Technical Assistance to ensure quality programming that is meeting the needs of all homeless persons in Georgia. I want to encourage communities and organizations that would like to receive any of these supports in their areas to contact Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness (770) 575-5785 and we will welcome the opportunity to work with your organization and community.
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SAVE THE DATE... MAY 11, 2009
11-YEAR-OLD ZACH BONNER'S 668-MILE WALK FROM "MY HOUSE TO THE WHITE HOUSE" BEGINS IN ATLANTA
WHO: 11-year-old Zach Bonner, recipient of the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award and other national and local honors, will be joined by politicians, the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness and the public to help raise awareness for homeless children as he takes on the third leg of his walk from "my house to the White House." Profiled on "Good Morning America," Zach is the inspiration for a feature film being developed by the Philanthropy Project www.GiveAndGlow.com WHEN: Monday, May 11 10:00 a.m.: Media Check-in 11:00 a.m.: Presentation begins at the Georgia State Capital steps 12:00 p.m.: 1st mile kick-off walk to The King Center WHAT: In November 2007, Zach sought to raise awareness of homeless children by beginning an ambitious walk from "my house to the White House," going from Tampa to Tallahassee. Last fall he walked from Tallahassee to Atlanta. This summer he will complete the last leg of the 1,225-mile journey, walking 668 miles from Atlanta to Washington, DC, where he hopes to meet with President Obama and other national leaders. The Little Red Wagon Foundation www.LittleRedWagonFoundation.com is the Tampa-based nonprofit that Zach established in 2005, at age seven, to help distressed children in the wake of Hurricane Charley. Over the last four years, Zach has gone from collecting bottled water in his own little red wagon to inspiring kids and others to get out and make a difference in the world and combat the problem of youth homelessness in America. Since 1995, Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc. www.gahomeless.org has been dedicated to finding solutions to the issues surrounding homelessness. Responding to these needs through an inclusive and coordinated network is a core value of the organization and committed partners. GCEH supports Zach as he demonstrates how one person can change the lives of our most vunerable homeless, our children. WHERE: Georgia State Capital 206 Washington St., Atlanta The King Center 449 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta
We hope you will join us for this kick-off event and press conference as Zach and his friends walk the first mile from the Georgia State Capitol to the Martin Luther King Center. We know you will want to send Zach off in style as he begins his 10 week, 668 mile walk from Atlanta to Washington D.C. For additional information, please contact Tom Plamann, at the GCEH Office (770) 575.5785 or at tom@gahomeless.org. |
Georgia 49th In Child Homelessness Report Card
Child and family homelessness is more widespread than many think, but a recent study released by the National Center on Family Homelessness revealed just how widespread it is, citing an alarming figure that one out of every 50 children experiences homelessness. Let that sink in for a minute. Georgia fared especially poorly among states: 49th in child homelessness per capita, child wellbeing, risk for child homelessness, state policy and planning. Family homelessness is at an all-time high in Georgia, due partly to the current economic crisis and fewer families being able to afford housing. While some find refuge in shelters, others sleep on floors and sofas of friends and relatives, live in cars or abandoned residences, or make makeshift arrangements. The experience of homelessness is tragic, but for homeless families, the grave impacts on child development make it even more so. Compared with their middle-class and even poor peers who have homes, young homeless children have more developmental delays, anxiety, depression and behavioral issues. Without intervention, the inevitable consequence is a child unprepared for school, which leads to poorer academic work, lower likelihood of high school graduation and crippled earning potential. In short, many are doomed from the start. The NCFH report points out that most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often-overlooked problem. The study recommends more government action including beefed-up federal spending on low-income housing and more investment in child care for homeless children. Georgia is fortunate to have many agencies addressing family and child homelessness. But most shelters operate at or above capacity. In the past year, there have been dramatic spikes in the number of homeless women with children seeking help. We must realize the urgency of child and family homelessness and step up as individuals by supporting organizations.
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Georgia and Nation are Seeing Rise In Homeless Encampments
Across the nation and the state of Georgia, homeless service organizations and city agencies are reporting the most visible rise in homeless encampments in a generation. Nearly 61 percent of local and state homeless providers say they've experienced a significant rise in homelessness since the foreclosure crisis began in 2007, according to a report by the National Coalition for the Homeless. The group says the problem has worsened since the report's release in April, with foreclosures mounting, gas and food prices rising and the job market tightening.
"It's clear that poverty and homelessness have increased," said Michael Stoops, acting executive director of the coalition. "The economy is in chaos, we're in an unofficial recession and Americans are worried, from the homeless to the middle class, about their future." The phenomenon of encampments have caught many advocacy groups somewhat by surprise, largely because of how quickly they have sprung up. "We're seeing encampments that we haven't seen since the 80s," said Katheryn Preston, executive director of the Georgia Coalition To End Homelessness. Georgia has also seen a significant rise in people who sleep in cars and vans. "Our Homeless Helpline receives dozens of calls every week from families resorting to living in vehicles and campsites because there just aren't enough shelter and affordable housing resources for intact families". "Georgia is literally in a state of emergency". "We are scheduling town meetings with local jurisdictions and homeless service providers to address these issues'". said Preston.
Dalton has been particularly hit hard by the economic crisis with the area's carpet and flooring manufacturers seeing production drop dramatically. "We're seeing tent cities popping up on the cities south side with inhabitants having no where else to go" said Tom Plamann, Program Director for the Georgia Coalition To End Homelessness. Other Georgia municipalities seeing increases in homeless encampments include Athens, Savannah, Columbus, Macon and Augusta. "Emergency shelter beds and the states current transitional and supportive housing units simply can't keep up with the overwhelming demand". said Plamann. "Areas of the state providing production and manufacturing jobs have been the hardest hit".
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Athen's Project Homeless Connect Event Serves Record Numbers
It was a sign of the times in April when hundreds of homeless Northeast Georgia residents lined up around the block at a downtown Athens church, waiting for a chance to grab some free clothes, get a lead on a job or find a place to live.
Project Homeless Connect, an annual social services fair organized by the Athens-Clarke County government, was busier than ever.
By 3 p.m., an hour after the fair started, more than 200 people had already walked through the doors of First United Methodist Church, compared to 140 last year, said Julie Meehan, executive director of Northeast Georgia Community Connection.
"A lot more people are here today," Athens Neighborhood Health Center educator Jennifer Richardson said. "It's a reflection of the economic times we're in."
People who came to the fair looking for help from dozens of nonprofits and government agencies - food, clothing, shoes, jobs, shelter or health care - ranged from the recently unemployed to the chronically homeless.
After the University of Georgia athletic department laid off Anthony Mason from his job as a janitor, he found himself living under a bridge. Mason, who left Project Homeless Connect with a bag of clothes and a contact for new eyeglasses, said he was able to find a bed at the Salvation Army shelter but has not been able to find another job.
"I applied for nine or 10 jobs in the past two days," he said. "This economy is rough."
Jackson County native Chuck Miller said he has been homeless since he was released from prison in 2006. His parents died while he was serving a three-year sentence for repeated traffic violations, and a nursing home took their assets to pay for their care, leaving him with nothing, he said.
Miller said he now lives at Hope Haven, an Athens shelter, and works part-time as a medic. He said he was seeking medical care for diabetes and a failing liver, as well as full-time employment and financial assistance to study nursing at Athens Tech.
A recent one-day count found 454 homeless people living in Athens shelters or outdoors, down slightly from 462 last year. Counters may not have found everyone, though, and the actual number of homeless varies from day to day.
"It's hard to gauge at times, but I'd say there's a good possibility it's higher," said Keith McNeely, director of the Athens-Clarke Human and Economic Development Department.
More troubling than the total number of homeless, those who lack any kind of shelter rose from 147 individuals and four families in 2008 to 178 individuals and 11 families this year, HED community development specialist Evan Mills said.
A $600,000 homelessness grant Athens-Clarke County received as part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package will help, Mills said. The grant can be used to pay late rent or bills to keep people from losing their homes or to pay rent at apartments for homeless families who've been staying in shelters and are ready to move out, he said.
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DCA Requests Public Comment on Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
Public comment is requested on the State's Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2008 Consolidated Plan dated April 30, 2009
The 2008 Consolidated Plan, prepared by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), describes Georgia's existing housing conditions and how the state, local, private and federal resources will be used to address the identified needs. This proposed amendment details the State's planned use of Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Funds (HPRP).
Among many other features of this program, note that:
1) The State will not be providing direct assistance to Georgia citizens; 2) Direct assistance to Georgia citizens will be provided by community-based entities designated by eleven (11) local governments selected by Congress. Direct assistance to citizens within the balance of Georgia will be provided by DCA State Subgrantees - local governments or nonprofits - selected by DCA; 3) Mortgage assistance is not available under this program; 4) Direct assistance for Georgia citizens is not expected to be available before October 1, 2009; and 5) Community-based State Subgrantees selected to provide assistance to Georgia's citizens should be listed on the website at http://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/specialneeds/programs/HPRP.asp on or before September 15, 2009.
TDD users may contact DCA at (800) 736-1155 to request documents. Copies may also be requested via email from DCA at hfd.htf@dca.ga.gov. Citizens may direct questions regarding this Substantial Amendment to DCA's Office of Special Housing Initiatives at (404) 679-3170 or by email to hfd.htf@dca.ga.gov.
Comments must be received by DCA on or before Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM.
Comments may be submitted in one of three ways:
(1) EMAIL: Emails should be sent to hfd.htf@dca.ga.gov;
(2) POSTAL MAIL: Comments may be mailed to the following address: Substantial Amendment -- Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program/ Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) - Office of Special Housing Initiatives, 60 Executive Park South, Atlanta, GA 30329 or
(3) FACSIMILE: Comments may be faxed to DCA's Office of Special Housing Initiatives at (404) 679-0669.
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