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Home My WebLink About00 - Council Announcements - PowerPointACKIIhd4om116M Q11DI HOMELESSNESS THE ORANGE COUNTY SUNDAY November 13.2018 Council Announcements Sunday, November 11, 2018 $2.00 FOUNDED IN 1905 FACESOOK_C91VI14CREGISTER TWITTER.COMIOCREGISTER ■ ■ HOMELESSNESS Pushing hard to change public perception By Theresa Walker [hwa&er@scrig.com Launching a multi -pranged ini- tiative to raise awareness about homelessness might seem unnec- essary. Orange County's unsheltered population is visible in one way or another in almost every com- munity.Or somewhere in passing. But what is the general pub - lie perception and how do you change it? That's the crux of the United to End Homelessness campaign that Orange County United Way launched early this year. The main goal: Educate the public and gain support to house the chronically ho meless. The next big push, Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, began Saturday and continues to Nov. 18. Expect a blitz of messages — in print and social media, on bill- boards, at bus shelters — focused on bringing a more nuanced un- derstandingof haw and why peo- ple become homeless, who they are, and what to do about it. The focus is on the chroni- cally homeless: people who have experienced a year or more of HOMELESS n PAGE IS Brian Critser, at right, credits Michael McGlinn, .he director of social services at Share Dur Selves, with saving his life. The headquarters is in Costa Mesa. KEVIN SU LLIVAN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER UNITED T4 END HOMELESSNESS LOVE THY NEIGHBOR The ulay to end O.C. homelessness Sy Jahn Steward and Mark Davis It's no secret that Orange County faces a housing challenge; most pointedly among those who, for one reason or another, have found themselves without a place to call home. In 2017, officials re- corded more than 4,700 homeless people living throughout Orange County, nearly 400 of whom are decorated veterans. The causes of homelessness and the people facing life without a home are varied. Many strug gle daily to survive after theyve last jabs or affordable housing. Others are trying to care for their children and unable to make ends meet. So, where can these individ- uals lay their heads at night? While the county operates IJ40 shelter beds in the winter — fewer in the summer — dean liv- ing iveing quarters, fi-ee from harass- ment or danger, are few. Bottom line Orange County's homeless com munity is underserved in re- sourres, services and compassion, and have nowhere to go. National headlines about Or- ange County's homdes situs- tion has caused many within our community to lase hope for a real solution and give up. But if our decorated veterans — our most honored cidzens —and peo- pie with disabilities — our most vulnerable — are left to fend far themselves without ahome and hope, what does that say about us? Fear -based opposition and the ever-present NIMBYism men- tality have slowed or completely halted some well-designed pro- posals to shelter our homeless. When opponents are asked where these much-needed facilities should be located, the response is often "anywhere but here." Es- sentially, make it someone elses problem. Hare we forgotten the hum an- ity of those experiencing home` lessness? Who are the souls that we, as acommunity, are leave ing behind? Are we pointing fin- gers and assigning ca 1pahilitybo- fore fully understanding some- one's struggle? Is ours a voice fo r justice and compassion or are we merely locking out for cur awn interests? We are called to lore every member of our hum an family and ensure that every person, whether currently housed or not, is treated with dignity and re- spect In February 2018, a coalition of business, philanthropic, non- profit, governmental and faith leaders launched the United to End Homelessness campaign. Led by Orange County United Way, this countywide initiative is comprised ofpassionate individu- als who are committed to ending chronic homelessness in Orange County by 2024 by implement- ing a proven solution: permanent supportive housing. PSH provides housing and support services for chronically homeless individuals — those with disabling or debilitating conditions who face the most complex health needs. There's proof of concept in many U.S. communities — in- cluding Orlando and Salt lake City — that significantly reduced homelessness through PSH. What's more, PSH has been proven to be significantly cheaper than leaving people on the streets, where their health will certainly deteriorate, Sadly, too many of cur homeless neighbors breathe their last breaths of life not in their own beds or a hospi- tal but on a cold sidewalk. All the great faiths hams in some farm or fashion the lesson of The Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you yore dis- abled, couldn't work and living on the streets, wouldn't you want the option of a home where you could live with dign d7' while re- eeivingthe cane you need for a stable life? On behalf of the United to End I Iomelessness Faith Leadership Council, we hope to ignite an up- risingof compassion for those in need and a movement of champi- ons who support proven solutions to homelessness. If we are going to enact change, we must work together, united for the greater goad. Visit unitedtoendhomdes- nes.orgto learn howyou can join cur growing movement. Rev. John R. Steward is senior pasta r of Mount of Olives and Pastor Mark Davis is at SL Mark Presbyterian Church. OC Register, Nov. 11, 2018 Top 3 Reasons for Homelessness in OC* 'Sauna; I1C im�e Cast Std �� ko�aelessnass in Araoge... RtX 1. Retaining jabs with substantial wages 2. Lack of affordable housing = 3. Family issues..., The lugger homeless individuals remale eR the streets, the iiReliv they are to develop debilitating mental and physical disabilities ani addictions. family issues include doine&tic wioleuce. -� 242 families (541 children) .� are currently homeless in Orange County. jq1 t West Coast Highway Landscaping Improvements r ry , � ° Y'� . ar 4. • 'f' `— .. �`" r.r � � - loll j � '" �` �• � � *.•s'��r^"{'.'" -ems / • -� "T d#`° ��} � �.. - - � -c :�Y �j Y�,;y �a if is * }• _ y Ali A l 11 I _tj ; J' 0l ISI I l' •'' t