COLUMBUS,
OHIO, January 15, 2003— The current issue of Time Magazine features a local
Columbus family who are typical of the fastest growing population of homeless
people: working families who can’t
make ends meet. The Cochran family,
now staying at the Barbara Bonner Family Shelter operated by Catholic Social
Services, do not look like what one might envision as a homeless family. Their
children are happy and well cared-for.
They look more like the family next door.
Both parents were
working until just before they became homeless. Then the rent on their apartment nearly
doubled, and Mrs. Cochran became pregnant and too sick to work
consistently. The family couldn’t
find affordable housing within their budget of about $400 per month. Mr.
Cochran’s take-home pay was not enough to cover the bills. After a few months of trying to make
ends meet, they couldn’t pay the rent, and had to contact the homeless shelter
system.
“The sad truth is that in Columbus there are more homeless families every day,” said Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board, in response to the article. “Demand for shelter by families is up 14% over last year, and continues to rise at a time when funding for social programs is being cut. This family’s situation underscores why now, more than ever, we need to assure that critical safety net services are in place so that children and families do not find themselves among the ranks of homeless persons on our streets.”
The
Time Magazine story points out that Columbus has an excellent network of
programs working together to assure that homeless children and families receive
the support they need. The
Community Shelter Board, which blends public and private funding for homeless
shelter, housing, and prevention programs, attempts to make sure no one who
needs shelter is turned away. This
is especially true for families, which is the highest priority population. With a sluggish economy, higher
unemployment, lack of affordable housing, and less tax revenue for social
programs, the fight to make sure homeless families find shelter is becoming much
more difficult.
The
Cochran’s are doing well, working and caring for their children and trying to
save money to get back on their feet.
The older children are in school, and the new baby is healthy and
happy. With the support of Catholic
Social Services and other programs, they are going to make it out of the shelter
system. The real question remains:
how many more families in Columbus are on the verge of homelessness?
The
Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary
organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration,
and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve
their housing crisis. The Community
Shelter Board allocates $7.5 million annually to support programs at 17
agencies. Last year, these programs
served more than 11,000 individuals.
The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the
Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public
and private donors.
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