As Homelessness Declines, Housing Insecurity Rises
Your Cincinnati car donation can help fund programs to help families in need
As we look forward to 2015, a recent report has given us some hopeful news for the new year. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD) the total number of homelessness individuals sleeping in homeless shelters or in the street has decreased by 11 percent since 2010.
This isn’t just good news because the issue appears to be getting better, it’s also showing that the efforts to end homelessness are working and that the issue of homelessness in America is a solvable problem.
However, this statistic doesn’t tell the whole story. As homelessness declines, another unfortunate statistic is on the rise.
Housing insecurity
According to the most recent Census Report, 11 million families spent more than half of their income on rent in 2011. These families are classified as ‘housing insecure,’ as only one unfortunate event, such as illness or a car accident, could result in them being unable to pay rent, and ultimately end up on the street.
While the total number of homeless individuals is decreasing, housing insecure families that are fighting to stay just above the cusp of homelessness have increased by a staggering 82 percent since the year 2000.
How we can fight it
The good news is that, similar to the homeless, housing insecure families can also be helped through:
- Quality, affordable housing (especially in underdeveloped neighborhoods) - A report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) indicates that for every 100 families that need affordable housing, only 31 units are available.This means that many low income families are living in housing units they can barely afford.
- Social programs that reach out and provide low income and housing insecure families with shelter and aid - More programs are needed to support low income and housing insecure families with food, aid, and housing options so they don’t have to face the possibility of living on the streets.
- Resource distribution reform - While the federal government spends about $270 billion each year to help families with their housing needs, more than half of the funds go towards households that earn more than $100,000 per year. Less than a quarter went to housing insecure families that earn less than $30,000 per year.
Want to help? Make a Cincinnati car donation
At Volunteers of America, we offer affordable housing and family services to help homeless, housing insecure, and low income families get the shelter and resources they need. However, these programs require funding, and that’s where you can help.
We depend on donations to help the less fortunate, and one of our biggest sources of funding is our Cincinnati car donation program. We’ll take almost anything that has a motor, including boats, RVs, motorcycles and tractors. We can even arrange free same-day towing to pick it up, so don’t worry if it’s not running.
Remember, the recent holidays represent the season of giving, and your donation will help give housing and shelter to housing insecure families in all of the Ohio communities we serve.
Fill out the car donation form, or if you have any questions, contact the Car Donation & Auction Office at 614-870-7511.