The more money you put out there ....the longer the line will get. "homelessness" yea right...Those mothers need birth control.
By May, Augustans facing homelessness could begin benefiting from $925,319 in economic stimulus funds awarded to the city's housing agency.
Augusta's Housing and Community Development Department will use the funds, part of the $787 billion stimulus, for homelessness-prevention efforts, including short-term rent, utilities and mortgage assistance, job training, counseling and emergency housing, said Vicki Johnson, the community development manager. The grant must be spent within three years, with 60 percent being used in two years.
The prevention aspect is essential in Augusta, where more people are losing homes and jobs, said Donna Wickes, an urban planner with the housing agency.
"Congress realizes it's a lot easier to help people before they lose their home than after," she said.
The emergency shelter grant program, dispersed by Housing and Community Development since the late 1980s, has helped fund homeless-assistance programs at the Salvation Army and Beulah Grove Community Center. But with a $100,000 annual budget, the program had a limited impact, said Rose White, the assistant director of programs for the housing agency.
"It was only enough to do a little for our homeless problem, and only 30 percent can be spent on homeless prevention," she said.
Once HUD and the Augusta Commission approve a plan, the funds can be dispersed, Mrs. Johnson said.
More than 2,300 people received utilities and rent assistance from the Salvation Army last year, spokeswoman Rebecca Wallace said.
"We are seeing an escalation of mothers who need help with food and paying rent and utilities," Ms. Wallace said. "We all recognize there's a need."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
HOMELESS IN AUGUSTA
2,931: number of people who sought homeless prevention services, such as utilities and rent assistance, at the Salvation Army in 2008
5,000: approximate number of homeless people in Augusta each year
551: number of homeless tallied by the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department's count Jan. 27
Source: Augusta Housing and Community Development and Salvation Army
Comments
The more money you put out there ....the longer the line will get. "homelessness" yea right...Those mothers need birth control.
Excellent article - shows that over 2300 was helped, but over 2900 needed help at Salvation Army. So we have an unmet need just at that one agency of over 600 families. Thanks so much to the Salvation Army, United Way and CSRA EOA agencies who are helping prevent homelessness. This money will really help those in need.
Sarg, sometimes The MEN need to keep it in their pants if they are not ready to HELP support a family!
How about drug testing, detoxification, and mental health services. Of course we could go back to the old days with large mental health institutions and lock them away out of public sight.
I suppose none of the people who need help could have possibly had jobs and been laid off! Why is it that most who comment seem to think that those who are homeless have never worked, are drug addicts, and/or have enough kids to start their own baseball team? That's not always the case. Some people become homeless after losing their jobs, and are unable to find a new one for some reason or another like an economic recession. There are some people who just won't do any better. But not all homeless are like that. Classifying them all as lazy addicts says a lot about the lack of compassion from the high and mighty who post. I would only hope they see the error of their ways should the tables ever turn.
Hey Sarge, I found Rollerville yesterday and read the monument. It says dedicated by the city of Augusta 1981 A.D. Lewis A Newman Mayor\Cemetary Committee B.L. Dent, W.H. Grant, SR. Inez R. Wylds, S. H. Elliott, Jr., J. C. Jones and M. K. Dewitt. There was a committie that organized the dedication and you only jumped on Pop Newman. Why not the rest of the committee because he had to get approval from them. Also, look at any government building or project and you will always see a plaque with the Mayor, builder, commission and committees names. I had no idea that was a cemetary and have been going by it for years, Never paid any attention because it is in such a run down section of town and has always been filled with drunks and drug users.
Why do we never chastise the Slum Lords renting these propertys at exhorbitant rates? No it is easier to target the people living and struggling for a living. What we need is a list of just who are the people renting their propertys to section 8 for far more than the property is worth. Now I ask you who is worse, a land lord making hundreds off a state welfare system or the person living in the house at reduced rent?
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