Tag Archives: housing

Posted
November 8, 2012
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Elliot’s Ninjas inspire apartment owner to help homeless families

Remember Elliot and his Ninja art that helps the homeless? First, his story made it into a newspaper, and then he was on the news, talking about the Ninja art he creates and sells to raise money to help homeless people. But now, something even more amazing has happened — an apartment owner who saw Elliot’s story on the news was inspired to help homeless families!

An 8-year-old continues to help homeless; one ninja at a time, his paintings have helped at least 4 homeless families.

News 2 learned about Elliot Hoppins, who paints ninjas and sells ninja t-shirts to help put a stop to homelessness, about two month ago.

“Helping the homeless is a good thing, one ninja at a time,” said Hoppins.

Hoppins even inspired Michael Greco, who owns apartments. Greco purchased a custom ninja painting and offered his complex to several homeless families in the area…

>> Get more of the story from WFMY.

>> Buy Elliot’s Ninja Art here!

Elliot, you inspire me! :)

Posted
October 22, 2012
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No shelter for disabled gunshot victim on dialysis

UPDATE, 10/24/12: Great news! Today, my friend is moving to a very nice nursing facility where he will be able to have rehabilitation for the injuries he sustained when he was shot. My understanding is that he can stay there for as long as he needs to. Thank you to all who prayed for him! God answers prayer! :)

After more than a decade of ministering to homeless people, I’m accustomed to difficult situations and heartbreaking stories, but this one stands out. Posted today on our StreetWatch homeless outreach team’s Facebook page [slightly edited for clarity]:

Please pray for a disabled homeless man on dialysis who’s in the hospital — he was a victim of a drive-by shooting — and has nowhere to go upon discharge. He also has multiple other serious health problems. He recently stayed at Greensboro Urban Ministry’s shelter, whose rules do not allow him to return for six months. (We have asked for an exemption because of his circumstances, but it was denied.) He was shot on the street, shortly after his time ended at the shelter.

He needs to be in Greensboro to continue his dialysis. Because of his health problems and safety needs, it would be very dangerous for him to try to sleep outside again. His multiple complicate the situation, and thus far, social workers have not been able to find a place for him to go when he leaves the hospital.

He is eligible for a housing voucher or supportive housing program, but we are unaware of any openings in these programs. He’s had a hard life and he’s in a hard situation. We believe that God makes a way where there’s no way, and I’ve been visiting him and praying that with and for him. Please pray that with us! Thank you, friends.

Posted
September 7, 2012
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One of two tents at the family's former camp site at Summit & Murrow.

Moved-along again homeless family needs place to camp

“I’m just trying to give my son a home. Tomorrow morning, we have to leave again.”

One of two tents at the family’s former camp site at Summit & Murrow.

A homeless, single mom, her teen-aged, college-student son, and their dog were told by Greensboro Police that they have one day to move — tents, sleeping bags and belongings — because of complaints about their camp. They are currently camping behind a business on High Point Road. They don’t know where to go next.

The family previously was living in a camp in a wooded patch on an exit ramp at Summit Avenue and Murrow Boulevard. That property is owned by the City of Greensboro, but the City ordered the family to move after residents of a nearby neighborhood complained about the camp’s visibility.

Homeless advocates* attempted to mediate, but neighbors were insistent and the City gave the family a deadline to move or have their belongings removed by the City**. The family packed their belongings in a friend’s car and went searching for a spot closer to the son’s college. Unfortunately, that new camp site has not worked out, either.

The homeless mom has had to pack up and leave camp sites many times before. But she’s tired. She doesn’t know where they’ll go. And she’s worried about her son. He has to be back in class again on Monday morning.

 

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* I was involved in that advocacy as a member of the StreetWatch team.
** Related post

Posted
January 23, 2012
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Living wage and fair market rent

I was talking to someone recently about employment and housing. How do you know the minimum hourly wage that you need to earn and what amount should you expect to pay for rent? Here are some links for Living Wage (the hourly rate that an individual must earn to support themselves or their family, if they are the sole provider and are working full-time) and Fair Market Rent (the amount that is required to rent a modest and standard apartment): Living Wage, Fair Market Rent.

Coincidentally, I just finished re-reading Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.

Posted
December 20, 2011
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Guilford County homeless service providers receive $1.5 million in HUD funding

US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $1.47 billion in renewal funding to more than 7,100 local homeless programs across the country. Homeless service providers in Guilford County will receive $1.5 million.

Guilford County HUD funding recipients:

  • Alcohol and Drug Services of Guilford, Inc.; High Point; Project Home Front; SHP; $34,996
  • City of High Point; High Point; Housing First; S+C; $77,352
  • Family Service of the Piedmont, Inc.; Jamestown; Clara House; SHP; $70,218
  • Greensboro Housing Authority; Greensboro; Grace Homes; S+C; $427,536
  • Greensboro Housing Authority; Greensboro; Supportive Housing; SHP; $477,369
  • Greensboro Housing Authority; Greensboro; Supportive Housing; SHP; $43,730
  • Greensboro Urban Ministry; Greensboro; Partnership Village I; SHP; $59,850
  • Mary’s House, Inc.; Greensboro; SHP; $135,982
  • Open Door Ministries of High Point, Inc.; High Point; Arthur Cassell Transitional Housing Program; SHP; $48,919
  • Open Door Ministries of High Point, Inc.; High Point; HMIS – High Point; SHP; $13,750
  • Open Door Ministries of High Point, Inc.; High Point; ODM Permanent Supportive Housing Project; SHP; $62,159
  • The Salvation Army; Case Management/After Care; High Point; SHP; $19,274
  • The Servant Center, Inc.; Greensboro; Servant House; SHP; $47,586
  • Youth Focus Inc.; Greensboro; Youth Focus Transitional Living Program; SHP; $51,700

TOTAL $1,570,421.00

SHP = The Supportive Housing Program is designed to develop supportive housing and services that will allow homeless persons to live as independently as possible.
S+C = The Shelter Plus Care Program provides rental assistance for hard-to-serve homeless persons with disabilities in connection with supportive services funded from sources outside the program.