According to the recently released Homeless Census, the number of individuals counted in San Benito County was 651. In neighboring Monterey County the number was 2,308.
For the purposes of the census, the definition of homelessness, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), includes persons living in shelters and places not meant for human habitation, “but excludes the common circumstance of multiple families housed together due to economic hardship.”
The Homeless Census provides us with numbers, statistics and demographics. But the people behind the numbers are often our neighbors, loved ones, friends and co-workers.
He served his country and did three tours in Iraq. He experienced death, war and battle. He came home with an honorable discharge, post-traumatic stress disorder and few employment opportunities. One piece of bad luck followed another until he found himself sleeping in the alley way of a shopping center. He just wants a job and the chance to get his life together again.
She is a woman of a certain age, a homemaker married for 30 years before her partner left her. The last thing she would ever do is to become a burden to her grown children who live in different states. They think Mom is doing okay, but Mom is not okay. You see, she lost the house eight months ago and has been sleeping in the car every night since and visiting libraries in the daytime hours trying her best to blend in.
Homelessness comes at a very high cost—to individuals, communities and systems of care. Numerous studies demonstrate that communities save money by providing permanent supportive housing to people experiencing homelessness. Homeless persons are more likely to suffer from chronic medical conditions and complications due to housing instability. Emergency rooms, crisis response, and public safety systems are utilized at a much higher rate by homeless individuals. In short, it is proven to be more cost effective to provide permanent supportive housing than to leave someone on the streets or in shelters.
The issue of homelessness is complex and demands both individual and community-wide responses. Support of nonprofit homeless programs helps to provide services to those in need. Local governments should make concerted efforts to increase the stock of safe and affordable housing for extremely low-income individuals and families. It is essential that all of us—faith communities, local residents, nonprofits, government, housing developers, business, education and funding entities—work together to do the heavy lifting needed to end homelessness in our community.
How You Can Help
You can help by supporting the work of the Coalition of Homeless Services and its member agencies who are established nonprofit experts in the field with long track records in addressing his very complex issue. To read the 2015 Homeless Census, find out about the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, sign an on-line petition supporting affordable housing or learn about accepting rental subsidy programs, go to www.chspmontereycounty.org.
For homeless services in San Benito County visit our website at www.sbccab.wix.com/cab1