Monthly Archives: March 2010

State of Homelessness in Guilford County: March 2010

pehPRESS RELEASE

Jehan Benton-Clark
For Immediate Release
336.553.2715 (O)
336.215.1295 (M)
Jehan@PartnersEndingHomelessness.org

State of Homelessness in Guilford County

Guilford County, NC—March 22, 2010– Homelessness has become a national issue of significant proportion with over 300 cities and counties across the country implementing plans to address this human tragedy.  In Guilford County, the Partners Ending Homelessness Initiative focuses on actively implementing, evaluating and updating Guilford County’s Ten Year Plan which is aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents of Guilford County by ending chronic homelessness and reducing all types of homelessness by 2016. The Partners Ending Homelessness Initiative focuses on generating housing and strengthening prevention & supportive services.
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Local homeless count numbers officially released: “Homelessness on rise”

Totals for the 2010 Guilford County homeless count (part of the annual, nationwide HUD count) were reported to the state and available on the web as of March 12th, as reported here at ChosenFast.com. Those numbers were officially released to the media today:

howmanyOn any given night, 1,064 people find themselves without permanent shelter in Guilford County, new data shows.

The annual “point-in-time” count of the homeless Jan. 27 found that at least that many people were living on the street, in shelters or in transitional housing, according to a report released today by Partners Ending Homelessness.

The annual count is a snapshot of homelessness in the county and officials caution it is not a complete picture of the situation. People often decline to take the voluntary survey and others may not be found during the 24-hour period that it takes place.

In 2009, the point-in-time count found 1,052 people experiencing homelessness in Guilford County.

This year’s count of the homeless also showed:

  • a 55 percent increase in the number of military veterans
  • a 31 percent increase in the number of domestic violence victims; and
  • an 8 percent increase in the number of children

– from ‘Snapshot’ survey shows homelessness on rise : News-Record.com

My experience with our StreetWatch team, as well as observations at shelter and meal locations, and conversations with police officers and homeless people, tell me that homelessness is increasing in our city and county, as it is across the nation. Counting homeless people is a notoriously difficult, and ultimately impossible, task. So I tend to go by trends, based on who we see and who we serve.

Last week, I spoke with Jehan Benton-Clark, director of Partners Ending Homelessness (PEH), about this year’s homeless count totals. We discussed the inherent limitations of a one-day homeless count, and other available data from local homeless service providers which presents a broader picture of the increasing homeless population in our area. I anticipate a more detailed public report from PEH.

Expert: Homelessness not a choice; your response is

A News & Record article about homeless camps in the path of the Downtown Greenway elicited the usual negative comments about homeless people. One of those who responded with truth (and grace) was a friend of mine, who’s been homeless in the past. The only experts on homelessness are people who’ve been homeless. His comment was worth blogging:

image credit: Audrie Keen, StreetWatch

image credit: Audrie Keen, StreetWatch

As one who has been homeless, I can truly understand just how complex this issue really is. I do not get upset with those who make disparaging remarks about the homeless, not do I blame them, because it is in ignorance that most comments are made. Not only have I been homeless, I also grew up middle class, attended a private school for 12 years, and the product of a wonderful, loving and well-educated family. My father has a doctorate! I am far from what many would thing of a homeless person, but nonetheless, I ended up there. If it were not for people like those involved with StreetWatch (of whom most I know very personally), the local church and a minority of extremely loving people who were willing to look past ignorance and prejudice and into the life of a wounded and hurting person, I might still be homeless.

I never chose to be homeless. It was never an issue of choice. Like many of our friends it was due to struggles with addiction and mental illness that led me there, neither of which I just randomly chose, but both of which contributed greatly to my homelessness. However, people who loved God also loved me. Men invested in me and many never gave up on me. My last homeless episode was probably 4 years ago, honestly, I have lost count. But I have a sensitivity to the issue because I have been there and done that as they say.

No one can truly comprehend what these men and women feel until they have been there. The bottom line is that NO MATTER WHAT THE CAUSE IS FOR THEIR HOMELESSNESS THEY ARE STILL VERY PRECIOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHO ALSO DESERVE MULTIPLE CHANCES IN LIFE. For those who attack them as being there by choice, why not be a part of the solution and build relationships with these beautiful people in a way that helps them prevent making poor choices in the future. My mental illness issues were not my choice yet I am so thankful that people loved me enough to help me see my way through all of that so that I could be able to be successful in my life today.

It is so easy to sit back and attempt to make ourselves feel better by looking down on those less fortunate, but that is 100% indicative of a tremendous lack of self esteem on that “down looker”. A person with a true and healthy sense of self will see themselves as a recipient of grace and recognize that because they are in a better position that they can THEN reach down to others rather than look down at others. A healthy sense of self is one that seeks to meet the needs of and build relationships with, those who are less fortunate.

Please do not just take shots at these men and women if you have never been there or been a part of their lives. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! Look for chances to help. Stop sitting in the back row and talking trash about people you don’t even know and get out on the front line. Do not contribute to the problem but be the better person as you are a part of the solution. Love people! A person who cannot love others has no real love for self. Please, these are wonderful men and women. I know most of them well, have had some of them live with me and I would not take all the money in the world in exchange for the lessons that I have learned from them!

~ pbfidler

Thanks, my friend, for your words, your wisdom, your grace and your heart.