A LIST OF IDEAS TO HELP
ADDRESS
HOMELESSNESS
in Montgomery County, Pa
Montgomery County shut down
their only homeless facility circa June, 2022 without making plans for the
people in our county needing shelter. There is a
Task Force working on it .... but there are people in need now. Let's give
them a few ideas ... and then give them a little push to "step on it".
Send me your ideas --- in very brief form --- to add to this
list
send them to
lel@abingtoncitizens.com
Have a very
simple Township run directory of all rental units with the prices being charged
– updated only yearly
Actually have the county maintain throughout
the various Townships a "stable " of modest housing that can be given to those
in need for a % of their income. If their income increases, they can move to a
"less modest" model. If they have a need to be in a certain location (ie:
near family) the county can buy somehting there.
Vienna, has a huge system of public
housing that contributes it to consistently ranking among the most liveable
cities in Europe.
Have a Township run list of job postings – just the name of the
job & link where to find it – nothing more
Have every Township post a page with the challenges they face
dealing with homelessness and to invite the public to share solutions
Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain
(generous) amount to sponsor a rental (apt or home) for a family in need
Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain
(generous) amount to sponsor food for a
family in need
Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain
(generous) amount to sponsor a course in
finding a job for those
in need
Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain
(generous) amount to sponsor mental
health insurance for one person
in need
Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain
(generous) amount to sponsor a mentor
for those seeking to get out of homelessness
Consider a Habitat for Humanity style entity just for Abington
that will
purchase
& rehab of existing abandoned, sheriff sale and deteriorating
housing. And like Habitat for Humanity. With grant or CDBG funding and
community donations and participation.
The homeless and those vulnerable to
homlessness need us to provide
--- psychological and social services
--- job training
--- mentors in job seeking skills (
resume writing, how to interview, how to find jobs, etc )
--- childcare services
--- medicare all under certain
income
--- parenting classes or mentors
--- abuse protection
--- home improvement advice,
mentoring or funds
--- help (ie: tax or other benefit )
for those caring for children and for seniors, too
These things prevent the vulnerable from
transitioning to homelessness.
--- home improvement programs
--- college scholarships for
--- career counseling from high
school into adulthood - as long as it is needed
How to fund what is needed
---
--- Require spending analysis to show when
anyone receives benefits paid for taxpayers
Do not allow
those of moderte to high income to receive such benefits
--- Bring ample businesses to keep taxes
low for residents.