Housing for the Temporary Homeless: Why Is This Important?
Due to the high cost of housing in our county, a large number of lower income families become homeless for some period of time. Statistics from Shelter Network show that over 6,000 people become homeless every year in San Mateo County, most of them on a temporary basis. In the past five years, the cost of living in the Bay Area has reached monumental heights surpassing that of major urban areas such as Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. San Mateo County is fortunate to have the services of Shelter Network, a Sustainable San Mateo County award winner, to find permanent housing for eighty percent of those that participate in their programs.
WHO ARE THE HOMELESS: A common misconception of the homeless is that they are mostly unemployed victims of drug and alcohol abuse not contributing to society. However, 90% of the homeless are actually not addicts. In fact, 2/3 of the homeless are families with parents, working in labor class jobs around the clock, living from paycheck to paycheck. Lifestyles like these are extremely precarious. Injury or sickness can cost a man or woman their job. One missed paycheck can move families from a one-room garage out onto the street.
WHY CARE ABOUT THE HOMELESS IN YOUR CITY: Increases in homelessness will detract from a stable economy and community. For a family without a home base, maintaining employment becomes extremely difficult. Also, children in school do not have a place to study, let alone afford the books necessary for study, hence prohibiting them from the opportunity for successful employment for the future.
WHO IS SHELTER NETWORK: It is important to realize that there are solutions to the problem of homelessness. Shelter Network, a non-profit program offering transitional housing and support to families and individuals down on their luck provides hope for sustainability in the future. 80% of the families that complete the Shelter Network program end up in permanent homes.
WHAT ARE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: As homelessness has become a fact of life in modern society, a sustainable state for this community problem would be a 20% reduction each year in the number of homeless people. This can potentially occur with the help of the Shelter Network and programs like it. It is important that the homeless have a place to seek safe shelter, support services and eventually affordable housing. As a community, we must identify housing for the temporarily homeless a goal and a priority.
MORE ABOUT SHELTER NETWORK: Shelter Network’s program is a very effective solution to the homeless problem in our community; offering one on one counseling, life skills workshops, mandatory savings programs, health care referrals, jobs and housing search assistance, children’s programs, licensed child care, and alumni follow up program. This network includes 6 different locations all over San Mateo County where citizens can go to help rebuild the morale and home life of defeated citizens down on their luck. 80% of the budget for this program goes directly to the clients.
Housing Options: Shelter Network offers three different housing options to potential clients: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and longer term. Emergency housing offers families immediate housing and services for sixty days. Transitional housing offers housing for six months while clients receive help searching for jobs and apartments. Long-term housing offers clients “rental assistance” and “case management” for a year while completing job training or community college program.
You Can Volunteer: On their website, www.sheltnerwork.org, Shelter Network lists a myriad of ways citizens like you can help out. Volunteer opportunities range from organizing a food drive to adopting a family or simply donating money to support their programs.