One need just look to the medians along Route 111 to know York County has people who are homeless and in need of shelter. While the shelters and food assistance programs are doing their best to meet the need, the organizations need funds and support to continue their missions.
Those who are homeless or know someone who is can do something very important to help next week: make a phone call.
The Point-in-Time count, administered statewide through the Maine State Housing Authority for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, will take place from Monday, Jan. 27 through Friday, Jan. 31 ”“ all of next week ”“ to count the number of people who are homeless in the state.
The importance of this count cannot be minimized.
The numbers will provide data to the federal government, which in turn determines the amount of funding earmarked to help provide services in Maine.
“Resources are based on data,” Amy Marcotte, of The Vet Center, based in Sanford, told the Journal Tribune recently.
Getting an accurate count of homeless veterans is of particular importance to Marcotte, who said veterans can make important contacts and learn about resources available to them to help get them back on their feet.
In 2012, there were 51 unsheltered, homeless people counted in York County, 18 of whom had prior military service. And in 2013, there were 78 unsheltered, homeless people counted ”“ 30 with prior military service.
David Allen of the Preble Street Resource Center said as a result of the count in 2012, the Veteran’s Administration allocated a case manager and housing vouchers in York County ”“ and maintained them in 2013.
These types of resources are life changing, and often, life saving.
One homeless veteran was able to hook up with services like the Vet Center, Preble Street Resource Center, the CareerCenter and others during the last count, and he now has a home and a job that pays $17 an hour, said Jim Bachelder of the Maine Military and Community Network in a recent interview.
People who are “unsheltered” are considered homeless. For some, it means staying with friends and relatives ”“ often referred to as “couch surfing,” others may take shelter in the woods in a tent or old camper, or even a car. These are the people who may not be on the radar of organizations that assist the homeless, which is why it’s important they be counted.
People who are homeless ”“ which doesn’t necessarily mean living on the streets ”“ are encouraged to call, toll-free, 1-800-377-5709, and take the survey next week. As well, teams will be dispatched throughout the county to help count. A mobile outreach van will be at the Seeds of Hope Community Center, located at Christ Episcopal Church on South Street in Biddeford, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The count will be running all of next week, and we urge anyone who considers themselves unsheltered or homeless to be counted, and for anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the count to call 874-1100, ext. 1290.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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