Homeless Prevention — What We all should Know
October 29, 2013
Church of the Holy Spirit
Orleans, MA

Preventing homelessness, a hidden but critical problem on the Outer Cape, was the focus of an Orleans Citizens Forum panel discussion October 29, 2013, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Well over 100 people attended this important event.

Helping individuals and families who risk losing their homes, because of illness, joblessness and other setbacks beyond their control, ends up costing taxpayers much less than helping those who actually become homeless.   Public policies, however, frequently misplace priorities, spending money on shelters rather than assisting those who need a temporary helping hand.

Though much less dramatic than stories of people—often mentally ill—living under bridges or in shelters, the plight of at-risk individuals receives relatively little attention.  A weak economic recovery and government spending cutbacks amplify the problem.  Most Cape residents don’t know the problem exists or just how prevalent it is.  For example, in 2012 Orleans had a total of 220 total helped by the Homeless Prevention Council.  This number consisted of 116 cases and included 58 families and 75 children.  But more public awareness can realign policies and programs, leading to more robust and stable local economies, stronger families, reduced crime and overall less human misery.

Panelists, all working on the front lines of homeless prevention, were:

• Allison Alewine, Housing Assistance Corporation
• Chris Austin, Executive Director of the Homeless Prevention Council
• Merrill Blum, Executive Director of Nam Veterans of the Cape and Islands
• Diane Casey-Lee, Executive Director of Council of Churches Cape Cod
• Jay Coburn, Executive Director of the Community Development Partnership
• Larry Marsland, Executive Director of Lower Cape Outreach Council

Herb Montgomery, an Orleans-based financial expert who works closely with prevention groups, was the forum moderator.

The forum focused on current homeless and near-homeless statistics in Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet, how prevention saves taxpayer money and how local organizations and churches work together to help individuals and families.

Video and Pictures

A video of the Homeless Prevention forum can be found at:

 

These photos are courtesy of Elizabeth Kuechenmeister.  Click on a photo to view the gallery.