We see them every day, though we may not recognize them. Or we may choose to look the other way. Some are sleeping on park benches or lining up for food and shelter. Others are less obvious – the working poor, veterans, the mentally ill, single mothers, and children. The all have one thing in common: They have no place to call home.

 

They are our homeless brothers and sisters. Their numbers are growing. And they need our help.

A 2007 report issued by the Midland Areas Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) identified more than 4,200 homeless people in the Midlands area.  Almost 1,650 of them live in the City of Columbia, and approximately 38% said they became homeless for the first time this year, a “huge number” according to homeless advocates. It was unclear what caused the high number for first-timers. But as the jobless rate increases and current economic conditions worsen, their numbers are likely to grow.

 

·         23% have lived previously with family or friends

·         11% owned or rented prior to becoming homeless

It could happen to any one of us. It could happen to you.

Homelessness is first and foremost a moral issue for our community and for each of us as individuals. But it is also a social and economic issue.

 

Homeless individuals suffer higher-than-average rates of chronic health problems, due to a variety of factors, including weather exposure, a poor diet, mental illness, alcohol/drug problems, or other issues. Even if they are employed, and many are, almost none can afford medical insurance, so they must depend primarily on local hospitals for medical care.

 

The Midlands homeless population accounted for $23 million in hospital and emergency room care in 2007, according to the first-ever cost analysis of the impact of the homeless in the Columbia area.

 

In-patient mental health treatment at approximately $300 a day is nearly ten times the cost of providing permanent housing with mental health services.

 

Although statistics show that homeless individuals are responsible for a very small percentage of crimes in most communities, chronic homelessness taxes the time and resources of law enforcement who are called upon to handle complaints about loitering, panhandling or vagrancy. In addition to being expensive at $60 a day, the short-term solution of jail can further hamper a homeless person’s recovery by limiting employment, housing and treatment opportunities.

 

A number of local organizations are working to address the issue of homelessness, but the needs far exceed capabilities. The Oliver Gospel Mission offers housing and services for men only, but space is limited compared to need. The Salvation Army offers meals and limited temporary housing but closed its shelter in March 2007 due to mold in the building. The City’s shelters are open only in winter. In short, the combined capacities of these organizations meet only a small percentage of the ever-growing need.

 

The Midlands Interfaith Homeless Action Council is working in concert with local houses of worship, the business community, government agencies and homeless advocates and organizations. Our community-wide goal is to secure long-term funding to create a comprehensive homeless center that can meet not only temporary immediate needs for food and shelter, but provide job assistance, medical/mental health services, and help with locating affordable housing, thus helping the homeless return to productive, meaningful lives and lessening the impact of homelessness on our community.

 

We need the help of everyone in our community to make this happen. Don’t look the other way. God is calling you to do what you can for “the least of these among us.”

 

 Join us today and help Light the Way to end homelessness in the Midlands.