By Jill Forman
Five hundred and thirty-six dollars. Think about that amount; many folks spend that monthly on the payment for a nice car, or going out to eat every week, or spending a modest weekend away. Five hundred and thirty-six dollars.
For other families, that amount stands between them and homelessness. That is the average amount the Homeless Prevention Fund gives to families to keep them in their home. For some families it is as little as $200. Think about how close such families are to the edge of financial disaster at any time. Imagine living like that every day.
Our article in the Breeze generated over 10 calls, as more people became aware of the services offered. Desperate people, with maybe a “three day notice” saying, essentially, pay your back rent or lose your home. Due to lack of financial resources, the Fund was able to keep only 8 of these families housed. We referred the others to alternative sources in hopes they might be able to help.
What the article didn’t generate was donations. The Fund is 100% dependent on individual and faith community contributions. Six local congregations donate frequently and generously, but there are over 90 houses of worship in the city. The Fund is currently in the red, a frequent occurrence as there is so much need.
Keeping a person or family in their home is the most economical way to keep homelessness from spreading. Once the home is lost, it can take thousands of dollars to rehouse them: first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and other fees. And then many landlords won’t rent to them because they have an eviction on their record. So they end up in motels, or on the street. Those are not safe ways to live, and it ends up costing the taxpayers for law enforcement, 911 calls, ambulance transport and ER visits, and other services.
One of our donors, not a wealthy person, gave up his daily cup(s) of expensive coffee for Lent, and donated the amount saved to the Fund. And then just kept it as a monthly donation and keeps the fancy stuff for an occasional treat. Another one gives donations as wedding and baby gifts, feeling that a safer and more just world is the best gift a new couple or new baby can have. me.
Donations can be made at vhpf.net. Five dollars. Ten dollars a month. 100% of all contributions go directly to keeping people housed.
Five hundred and thirty-six dollars — often much less –keeps a family housed.
What about you? Will you help?
