Text Box: The Changing Face of Homelessness Hope And Life Outreach

410-742-9356

701 Snow Hill Road,

Salisbury MD

21804

Love ‘Em Like Jesus

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Text Box: The stereotypical image of a homeless individual is an raggedy single man, struggling with alcoholism, addictions or mental illness shuffling along the sidewalk. But that is an outdated image; one that fails to reflect the growing reality of homelessness in our country and here locally. Through a combination of increasing unemployment, poverty and the lack of affordable housing, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of homeless families on our streets. Recent news reports have told of tent cities and shantytowns, with parents and their children living out of cars. And it is clearly a growing problem. A December 2008 annual survey of 25 major cities by the U.S. Conference of Mayors profiles the new face of homelessness: “The report reveals that on average, cities reported a 12 percent increase in homelessness from 2007 to 2008, with 16 cities citing an increase in the number of homeless families.” Similarly, the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions’ latest annual survey at 137 rescue missions across North America in October 2008 reported that “women with children made up 66 percent of the homeless families counted in the survey, a jump from 55 percent in 2007 and the highest figure recorded in the last eight years.” Text Box:

HOMEPAGE
Text Box: Text Box: 7 IDEAS for Helping a Homeless Man or Woman  Text Box: 1. Anticipate the opportunity and be prepared. 2. Smile and actually say hello. Go out of your way to approach, rather than avoid them.  Acknowledging the person shows respect. It gives dignity. 3. Engage the person. Start a conversation.  Take time to listen. 4. Don't give money.  Ask what their greatest need is.  If money, what will they do with it?  Think creatively about how to help.  In most cases, meeting the actual immediate need for food or clothing is best. 5. Offer an alternative.  Keep care packages with you that include socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, bottled water, healthy food items or gift certificates for food.  Include our 6. Carry public transportation (www.shoretransit.org) tickets and encourage them to get to HALO for food, shelter and other immediate needs.  Let the person know that you support HALO so that their needs will be met. 7. Afterward, be sure to pray for both their physical needs as well as their spiritual hunger. 

FAMILIES

18 % of the homeless are children.

Single men comprise 41% of the homeless population.

Single women comprise 24% of the homeless population.

32 % of the homeless population are families.

VETERANS

7% of the homeless population are Veterans

MENTAL ILLNESS

United States:

About 16% of the homeless in the U.S. have severe chronic mental illness.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

United States:

About 26% of the homeless population suffers from some form of drug or alcohol abuse.

FACTS ABOUT

HOMELESSNESS

IN SALISBURY

TOTAL POPULATION

1331 people experienced homelessness at some point during the year 2010.

Up to 279 people are homeless every night.

ETHNICITY/RACE
The homeless population is 49 % African-American, 43% Caucasian, 3 % Hispanic, 3 % Native American and 2% other.

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