Homelessness focus of Catholic Charities USA advocacy forum

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Hoping to raise awareness about the plight of homelessness throughout the nation, Catholic Charities USA has organized a series of six advocacy forums in locations throughout the country. 

One such gathering - Catholic Charities USA’s Advocacy Forum: Convening on Practical Solutions to Homelessness - was held Aug. 8 and 9 at Catholic Charities Twin Cities location in Minneapolis. Amy Bloch, executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City, attended that meeting.

“Fighting homelessness and finding solutions is one of the focus areas of Catholic Charities USA,” she said. “They are doing regional meetings across the country to bring people together to help identify solutions.”

In addition to her work at Catholic Charities, Bloch is a member of the board for the Homeless Coalition in Sioux City so she is aware of what is happening here locally.

“Homelessness is on the rise, that is why it has become priority,” she noted, while stressing that helping those in poverty and the most vulnerable has always been part of the mission of Catholic Charities. “When data comes out that homelessness is on the rise, that is when it becomes more of a focus area.”

At the advocacy forum, about 50 people from regional Catholic Charities agencies, community leaders and other interested individuals/groups gathered to learn information about the homeless problem, share local perspectives and brainstorm ideas to strengthen advocacy by working with local legislators and community partners to be able to come together to assist the homeless.

Data from Catholic Charities USA shows there is an estimated shortfall of 7.3 million affordable housing units for 11 million extremely low-income renters.

Bloch noted homelessness is increasing for people 55 and older. Statistics shared at the forum showed one in four homeless adults is aged 55 or older. And while homelessness may vary in the different regions of the country, she said often a common denominator contributes to the problem.

The availability of affordable housing was not only the main contributing factor of homelessness identified at this regional meeting but appears to be a significant problem throughout the country.

Rural homelessness

“Housing is really the No. 1 challenge whether you are looking at Sioux City or in our rural areas,” stressed Bloch. “Especially now with the recent flooding, there isn’t housing for people who have lost their homes let alone for individuals who might be homeless.”

For persons making minimum wage or are in other crisis situations, she acknowledged it can be extremely difficult to find housing, pay for food, clothing, daycare and other expenses.
Affordable housing is not a problem that is easily solved, but Bloch said through the forum they were able to share ideas and garner resources available from Catholic Charities and other national offices such as HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that could help strengthen advocacy efforts on the local level.

“There were agencies that care about people having food and housing because they understand it impacts people’s ability to survive and live with basic necessities,” said the Catholic Charities diocesan director.

Employed homeless
The issue of homelessness, she added, could be greater than what people realize. When thinking of the homeless, many may conjure up the image of a transient living on the streets but she said the homeless can include people sleeping in cars along with adults and children who are crashing on a sofa of a friend or relative because they cannot find affordable housing of their own.

“We have many people who are living in shelters for months at a time – and working,” she said. “They cannot afford the housing that is available.”

Amy BlochWhile addictions, mental illness and unemployment can add to the number of homeless, Bloch noted that many homeless may actually have jobs but do not have wages to live on their own. Part of the discussion included topics such as the need for emergency shelter and funding for affordable housing.

“What I walked away with is that here in our community we have different groups that are really working hard on this issue,” said Bloch. “One of the biggest questions for our community to look at is whose responsibility is it and who is willing to help find solutions?” 

The challenge, she noted, is often building understanding of the issue and having empathy for those who do experience homelessness. Bloch believes many are on the same page with this, so the next step is action steps of strengthening advocacy in the hope of finding funding sources for housing.

“We really do not have affordable housing here,” said Bloch. “How can we work with the city and state to bring funding to our community?” 

She anticipates that Catholic Charities will be one of the community partners to advocate for area homeless.

 The final gathering of the six advocacy forums is set for Oct. 24-35 in Phoenix.