Report on public perceptions of the homeless in Central Florida

Just this week, researchers from the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences released a study that gauged the region’s ideas about the local homeless population. Titled “Public Perceptions of the Homeless and the Agencies that Serve Them,” this study provides invaluable insight into how our community views the issue of homelessness in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

We decided to share the conclusions in the words of the researchers themselves, as well as point out some particularly interesting discoveries.

Some points we found particularly intriguing:

• Most respondents (55%) described homelessness as a “major problem” in Central Florida.
• Public perceptions of the homeless are generally positive.
• About one in three (35%) says that their opinion of homeless people changed in the past year.  Of those whose opinions have changed, 95% say they have become more sympathetic.
• One survey question asked if respondents felt enough is being done to address the issue of homelessness in Central Florida. A substantial majority (73%) said no.
• The study also questioned whether Central Florida’s municipal and county governments should do more to fund programs that address homelessness. The resounding majority of respondents (83%) said yes.

We are rarely able to share results from a study that is strictly local and because of this the UCF study is priceless to us. Based on the results of this study, we gather that the Central Florida community is changing its perceptions of the homeless population and that they are beginning to consider ways this issue can be addressed. Our goal is to continue offering the community proof that the face of homelessness has changed and to remind them of how they can get involved in addressing this increasingly imperative issue. Visit our website to find out more.

Stay tuned for more results from this study: we will be sharing the statistics on the community’s perceptions of the Coalition sometime very soon.

What do the holidays mean to a homeless family?

Is your family, religious organization or social group looking for a unique opportunity to make the holidays special for a neighbor in need? If so, please consider sponsoring a family or individual at the Coalition. Your generosity can make their season one of hope and joy!

Don’t believe us? Read on…

Al Patrick, who has previously written two letters featured on our blog (we encourage you to read both the first and the second) shared another note he wrote just after the 2008 holiday season. This letter was written in appreciation for the family that sponsored holiday gifts for Al and his two children, Sean and Chloe.

Dear family,

Sean, Chloe, and myself, want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unselfish giving so that we could have a really great and blessed Christmas, despite being homeless…

First, let me say, that even though we are [only temporarily] residing at Coalition for the Homeless…, like Sean told me back in August, the Coalition [is] our home until we are able to get on our feet and move on.

The three of us are definitely grateful for the Coalition taking us in and keeping us together…

I am a retired Houston fire fighter, and before that, the best job I’ve ever had, I worked in positions where I was always helping others. Having to ask for help was totally different and foreign to me. If it weren’t for my children, I don’t even have a clue where I would be right now…

People like you keep the dreams and hope alive in these children. And many times they help their parents’ dreams and hopes rekindle.
Sean loved the army play set that you bought him. He loves to play with army men.

Chloe loved the outfits, the dolls, and especially the art kit. Chloe cried tears of joy about the art kit. Chloe is really into arts and crafts.

As for me, I like the 2 outfits that you got me. Both Sean and Chloe told me how good I looked in them.

This year was a great and special Christmas for us, just because of you and the Coalition.

We wish you and your family a really great and prosperous new year. We also hope and pray that you continue your tradition helping those who are less fortunate, each and every Christmas as God allows. In fact, this was the purpose of our letter; to let you know that what you did, [have] done, and will do doesn’t go unappreciated.

Sincerely,

Al, Sean and Chloe Patrick

PS – We will be moving into our own place at the end of this month. And with God’s will, once we are on our feet, we pray that we can start your tradition.

Al’s touching letter proves that this program has the potential to make a lasting impact on a family striving to return to self-sufficiency. As a participant in this exceptional opportunity, you will have the opportunity to “adopt” a family or single adult in one of the Coalition’s residential programs. These clients are working hard to progress into independence and you can help us ensure they enjoy the holidays in their temporary home.

When you sign up to participate in this program, you will be matched with a family or single adult (we will attempt to match your preferences). We will provide you the name, age, gender and suggested wish list for each of the individuals you are sponsoring.

To find out how you can be involved in this rewarding opportunity, please email coalition@cflhomeless.org by November 27, 2009.

Fair Market Rent in Central Florida – can you afford housing?

The National Low Income Housing Coalition is committed to achieving public policy that guarantees even people with the lowest incomes in the United States have access to affordable and decent homes. Their dream, however, is far from a present reality. According to the 2009 “Out of Reach” report, affordable housing is just not available for much of the workforce.

Perhaps not surprisingly for those who live here, the Sunshine State ranked number 8 in the most expensive jurisdictions.

To localize this issue further, the report states that in the Orlando-Kissimmee MSA, the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is now $985. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that a household should spend no more than 30% of income on housing; therefore, in order to afford an average two-bedroom apartment in this area, families must earn $18.94 per hour. This equates to 2.6 minimum wage jobs at the present $7.21 per hour.

What this statistic means is that both parents could be working full-time and still be unable to provide basic shelter for their children. We find that heartbreaking.

To find out more information, you can see the statistics for each state and particular region in the “Out of Reach” report. Tell us: how many jobs would you have to work at minimum wage in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment in your area?

Order your 2009 Holiday Cards today!

Want to spread some real holiday cheer? Purchase your holiday cards through Coalition for the Homeless and spread an inspirational message while providing vital support for the Coalition’s programs.

This year’s cards tell a powerful story of unity and diversity!  The cover art is complemented on the inside with the powerful message: “The homeless… as diverse as the colors of a rainbow.” A note will also be included letting your family, friends, colleagues, and customers know that you are giving back to the local community during this special season: “As a concerned citizen of the Central Florida community, this holiday card represents my donation to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to help improve the lives and ease the burdens of our neighbors in need.  This support will directly benefit the nearly 600 men, women and children who rely on the agency for food, shelter and supportive services daily — a startling 200 of whom are children.”

This is a perfect way for individuals, families, groups, and businesses to spread holiday cheer and give back to the community. As always, all bulk card orders will be personalized with your company logo printed as the signature on the inside.  For more information or a closer look at the cards, check out the preview and order form or contact Tami Karaba at 407.426.1259 or tami.karaba@cflhomeless.org.  We will accept orders up until December 4th, and please allow approximately 7-10 days to receive the cards.

Happy Holidays and thank you for supporting the Coalition throughout this season!

Working poor and low education go hand-in-hand

Earlier this week we shared some very surprising news about the homeless population we serve: we told you that many are working and yet are unable to obtain economic security. They are part of a larger population across the United States: the working poor, those who are employed but are still suffering from inability to pay for basic necessities such as shelter, food, health care, child care, taxes, and transportation. We used our discussion to share some myths and facts about the working poor, and today want to continue our topic by discussing the link between the working poor and low education.

The Working Poor Families Project released a study titled “Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short” that details many of the little-known trends and facts about the working poor. The report notes that one of the greatest contributors to low-income working families’ economic success is the level of education they have received. Tied closely to this is how well that education actually prepared the participants to obtain and excel in a job requiring skilled work.

On the report website, The Working Poor Families Project aptly summarizes some of the education-related difficulties faced by the working poor:

• Almost one-half of all job openings require more than a high school education, yet as noted in the Report of the National Commission on Adult Literacy, 88 million adult workers are not prepared for these positions.
• Furthermore, 25 million of these workers do not have a high school degree or its equivalent.
• At the same time, combined federal and state government resources for adult education programs serve approximately 2.5 million participants annually, only one-tenth of the need.

If education and job training are as imperative as this study implies, there is no doubt that we must improve opportunities to receive skilled training and an education. At Coalition for the Homeless, we are fortunate to be able to provide opportunities for both. You can learn more about the on-site Orange County Public Schools LifeStrides Program (an adult education classroom) and Goodwill Industries job training program by visiting our website’s Partners page.

We know these two programs will not eliminate the difficulties faced by the millions of working poor not involved in our programs, but we are certainly addressing the issue through the hundreds of adults that take advantage of these programs each year. Our goal is to produce educated, competent adults with the necessary skills to create a new life for their families. Perhaps someday, through our efforts and those of other agencies across the nation, the idea of a population that works hard and is still unable to achieve self-sufficiency will be a fading memory.

Myth v. Fact: The Working Poor

When giving tours of our facilities and presentations about what we do at Coalition for the Homeless, we are frequently asked questions about the population we serve. One of the most shocking pieces of information we share with our visitors and audiences is that many of our clients are actually working, and yet are unable to earn wages that meet their basic needs. For many who have perceived the homeless as either lazy or lacking motivation to better their circumstances, this is an eye-opener into the reality of poverty in America.

The population we are discussing has been termed “the working poor,” meaning that despite how hard individuals and families may work, many still lack the income needed to afford housing, child care, health care, food, transportation, and taxes, let alone such “luxuries” as education and retirement. Even though many community members may sympathize with their plight, the working poor and their difficulties remain a mystery to much of America. That is precisely why we were delighted to discover the “Myths and Facts about Low-Income Working Families” document.

A report by The Working Poor Families Project titled “Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short” includes a variety of information on this population and is certainly worth looking into. For today, however, we want to share the popular myths and corresponding facts the study revealed. We hope this brief look at some of the misconceptions surrounding the working poor, and therefore many of the clients we serve, will open your eyes and hearts to the difficulties met by many of the neighbors in your community.

We would love to hear your opinion on what you read below, which has been taken directly from the report “Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short.” Be honest: what myths have you believed?

Florida ranks among lowest in government aid for needy

A disturbing study released by the New York Times used 2008 statistics to reveal that, in some states, the eligible needy receive far less government assistance than those in other states. Jackie Dowd (author of ‘the 13th juror’ blog) compiled a Florida-focused synopsis of the results, all of which point to the issue that needy neighbors in the state of Florida may be lacking in benefits just because of their Sunshine State residency:

• Only 7% of poor children and parents in Florida receive cash welfare. In Vermont, the top-ranking state, 49% do. The national average is 21%.
• Only 23% of eligible Florida households receive housing benefits. The national average is 30%.
• Only 30% of uninsured poor adults in Florida are covered by government programs. Maine, the highest-ranking state provides health-care coverage for 69% of its poor adults. The national average is 41%.
• Only 56% of uninsured low-income children in Florida are covered by government programs. No state covers fewer than half of its low-income uninsured children. The national average is 73%.

Jackie points out that Florida was not among the lowest sources of support in all areas, however. For example, Florida provides food stamps to 62% of eligible citizens. Even still, this is below the national norm of 67%. In addition, Florida provides unemployment benefits to 38% of the unemployed workforce, which is still below the national average of 44%.

After reading these troubling rankings, you may wonder why some states fair better than others. The study provides mini-explanations, which we have localized specifically for the state of Florida:

• Welfare: Individual states must pay for welfare costs; therefore “poor Southern states” have a tendency to deny benefits to eligible recipients. We question whether Florida can be considered a “poor state” and wonder if this is a valid excuse for our low ranking.
• Unemployment: Southern states are again specifically mentioned, this time for typically maintaining weak unions and low wages. In terms of low wages, Florida’s service economy with low-paying jobs certainly fits this bill. According to the study, this tendency correlates with how many workers receive unemployment benefits.
• Housing assistance: Florida’s recent population growth, in the midst of a peak in construction, means that our state (and others with growing populations, like Arizona) are out of luck for subsidized housing.
• Food stamps: Florida ranks almost-average in this area, possibly because the federal government (and not the state) is responsible for funding the food stamp program.
• Health insurance for poor adults: This program is noted for having particularly high costs, with individual states paying a high portion of the price. Since Florida coming in below the national average for adult health insurance coverage, this seems to be a low priority for the Sunshine State.
• Health insurance for poor children: Providing health insurance for children is cheaper than providing the same coverage for adults, and thankfully, the federal government bears a bigger share of the burden. Perhaps this is why 56% of eligible children in Florida are covered in this program, whereas only 30% of uninsured adults (who cost more) are covered.

At a time when more and more neighbors are struggling to make ends meet, we can only hope 2009 statistics will reveal more available help for Florida’s needy.

Help Christmas come early: donate new shoes for homeless kids

Last week, word spread about the upcoming 7th annual Orange County Week of the Family, particularly the “Heart and Sole” project that is seeking to collect 1,000 pairs of new shoes and donate them to kids at the Coalition. The prospect of providing many of our Coalition youngsters with some new school shoes is so exciting for us, and we are anticipating a great return from this effort. Below we have shared a post by Kate Santich of the Orlando Sentinel, who wanted to be sure her Change the World blog readership knew about this opportunity and how they could get involved. We are sharing so that you can get in on the action, as well!

For most third-graders, getting a new pair of shoes for school doesn’t exactly rank on the excitement meter with, say, getting a new iPod or your own cell phone. But when you’re in third grade and you live in a homeless shelter – and you’re wearing shoes that are two sizes too small or look like they’ve done time in a swamp – a new pair of shoes is as good as Christmas.

“When you’re struggling just to get basics, everything is a priority. And shoes just don’t last very long – especially for an active 8 year old,” says Brian Nichols, a 40-year-old single dad who is raising his 8-year-old daughter at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. “It’s hard on the parents, but it’s even harder on the children, because they just don’t understand why you can’t buy them things the way you used to.”

That’s why Orange County government and a nonprofit called Week of the Family are teaming up to host a new-shoe drive for local homeless kids. And they need your help. The effort – dubbed “Heart and Sole” – runs through Nov. 7. All shoe sizes are needed, and tennis shoes, gym shoes or sneakers (or whatever you want to call them) are preferred. You can drop them off at any Orange County fire station. Believe me, they’ll go to a good home.

“They get so excited over anything new, even little things,” says Carmen Baldwin, 38, a single of mother of 3 children, ages 6, 10 and 12. It was the 6-year-old, a girl, who was wearing shoes two sizes too small when the family arrived at the shelter four months ago. Carmen’s husband had disappeared one night with all the family’s money. And Carmen’s income as a part-time security guard couldn’t stretch enough for such “luxuries” as new shoes. Her 10-year-old son had shoes that fit, but she says his athleticism created a different problem. “After six months, they stunk,” she says. To replace them with a new pair, she says, would be wonderful for the kids – “and great for my nose.”

Debra Pratt, a volunteer with the Week of the Family Foundation, says the goal is to collect 1,000 pairs of new shoes for kids at the Coalition. If dropping off your donation at a fire station isn’t convenient, you can also bring shoes to any of the Foundation’s Week of the Family events, which start Oct. 31 with the city of Winter Park’s 6th Annual Family Fall Festival and continue through Nov. 7. For a list of events, click here.

To see Kate’s post for yourself, click here.

Gloomy clouds above the Sunshine State? Look for the silver lining!

We know times are hard on everyone in the United States: the national jobless rate is climbing, foreclosures are prevalent, and claims for services such as food stamps are skyrocketing. The state of Florida, however, seems to be hit especially hard.

• The national jobless rate is 9.7% for the 2009 year (which is high compared with the 5.8% rate in 2008). Florida’s jobless rate came in at 10.7% for the month of August, which is considerably higher than the national rate. Read more on national jobless rates in a report from the US Department of Labor.
• In terms of median income, Florida was the only state in which the median income decreased in 2007 and 2008 (before adjustments for inflation). Read the US Census Bureau report on income trends for more info.
• Over 2.3 million Americans experienced foreclosure in 2008, with nearly half of those foreclosures coming from just four states:  California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona. You can read more about foreclosure rates here.

These hardships are among a myriad of reasons that the Sunshine State could be considered to have some gloomy cloud cover. However, it is important to remember that every storm cloud has a silver lining: new programs and initiatives are being announced often, all with the goal of offering needy citizens a hand-up. In particular, one proposal regarding unemployment benefits caught our attention:

A plan pending approval by the US Senate would extend jobless benefits to needy Floridians for an extra 20 weeks beyond the normal coverage time. The breakdown of extended services would include 14 weeks of additional benefits for all 50 states, with an additional six weeks of benefits for states with unemployment rates above 8.5%. Florida’s high unemployment rate makes it more than eligible for this advantageous new plan.

Although ironic that the silver lining in Florida’s storm clouds is only possible because of the state’s current dire unemployment circumstances, we are pleased that this plan (if approved) will be able to help so many struggling families and individuals. Twenty weeks of additional jobless benefits, if they are needed, could potentially keep families in their own homes and prevent them from needing shelter or other emergency services. Perhaps you will find this odd, since providing shelter is a part of what we do; but we’d actually prefer it that way.

How many are homeless in America?

The current economic state has caused many Americans to wonder: how many homeless people are in America? This shouldn’t be a surprise to us; with the rising number of layoffs, intensifying quantity of foreclosures, and increasing requests for government assistance, our nation should be questioning just how many of our fellow citizens have been unable to make ends meet.

Although the National Alliance to End Homelessness is able to provide some answers to this query in their just-published video fact sheet, they also warn that the majority of available numbers are taken from a one night count in 2007. With that being said, they believe the next point-in-time census (completed in January of 2009, official results are expected in summer 2010) will show how the slumping economy has influenced the percentages and demographics of the homeless population.

In this data-focused video, William Sermons, director of the Homelessness Research Institute at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, discusses the available information on the national homeless population. He also interprets the nuances of the numbers, which makes the video very handy.

Some important tidbits we gathered from Sermon’s video above:

• On a given night, an estimated 672,000 people experience homelessness. This means 22 out of every 10,000 people are homeless in America.
• 42% of those 672,000 are unsheltered (meaning they live on the streets or in other forms of shelter not meant for human habitation), while 58% are living in shelters or transitional housing.
• 37% of the homeless are people in family units, while 63% are individual adults.
• The most common makeup of a homeless family is a mother with one or two children. This certainly goes against the image of homelessness most perceive; we’ve noticed that people typically picture the homeless as a single male standing on the street corner, not a single mom with kids in tow.
• Those meeting the federal definition for chronic homelessness make up just 18% of the entire homeless population.
• Sermon explains that the chronically homeless, as defined by the federal government, include individuals with physical or mental disabilities who have experienced homelessness multiple times or have remained homeless for a significant amount of time.
• 8 out of 10 homeless persons are in urban or mostly urban areas. We’ve talked about this in the past; click here to read more about urban homelessness.
• Overall, homelessness decreased 10% from 2005 to 2007. As already mentioned, this does not show the influence of the current economic slump, but the numbers below do. Read on!
• In July 2009, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a mix of 2007 and 2008 homeless count numbers, the first official attempt to reveal the affects the recession has had on the homeless. These preliminary numbers show that the number of homeless had not changed between 2007 and 2008. However, Sermons points out that this stalemate (after a period of significant decreases in homelessness) demonstrates a significant step backward in efforts to end homelessness.

We hope this video has raised even more questions in your mind; questions about who the homeless are, what they look like, where they live, and what we as a nation can do to return them to self-sufficiency.

To answer your questions about homelessness, visit the resource page at National Alliance to End Homelessness for a more in-depth scoop on America’s homeless population. If what you are learning is spurring you to action, visit our website to see how you can help address the issue of homelessness right here in Central Florida.