The Real Story…

News and commentary about the real estate market and related topics.

Dave Parrish, ABR®, CSP, GRI, ePRO®,REALTOR ®, RE/MAX MarketPlace
The opinions expressed here are my own and don’t necessarily represent those of RE/MAX International.

The Christmas Story…

Many of us will soon observe the Christmas pageant depicting the traveling of the Holy Family to Bethlehem arriving in the city of Joseph’s ancestors to find no room at the inn… Yes for that evening, this family was homeless… Despite the economists’ sterile and clinical indicators that the recession is over, its effects are still being felt locally as well as nationally.

This is a story about the homeless… and the fact that it is a growing problem for many… including an increasing number that never thought that they would be homeless.

A report released this summer by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Homelessness in Alabama on the rise...

shows that between 2008 and 2009, homelessness increased 11.5 percent in Alabama and 8 percent in the Birmingham area. The HUD report showed that in 2009, for the second year in a row, the number of homeless families nationally has increased, something the department said is almost certainly due to the ongoing effects of the recession.

As many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year (1% of the entire U.S. population or 10% of its poor), and about 842,000 people in any given week. Most were homeless temporarily. The chronically homeless population (those with repeated episodes or who have been homeless for long periods) fell from 175,914 in 2005 to 123,833 in 2007. These numbers are again on the rise.

Familial composition

• 40% are families with children-the fastest growing segment.
• 41% are single males.
• 14% are single females.
• 5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.

1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18

23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).

Factors contributing to Homelessness…According to the United States Conference of Mayors, the main cause is the lack of affordable housing.

The three next primary causes are:

• Mental illness or the lack of needed services,
• Substance abuse and lack of needed services,
• Low-paying jobs.

The minor causes cited by the mayors were:

• Prisoner release,
• Unemployment,
• Domestic violence,
• Poverty.

While the causes of homelessness are varied, there is little doubt that the numbers for 2010 are expected to represent further increases in the number of homeless. At the same time the resources available to this growing body have become increasingly limited, as the economic pressures on those who have been able to help in the past are such that they can no longer assist, as they themselves struggle for survival.

So it is increasingly important for us… for you and I… to find ways to help where we can to serve those who are hungry or homeless in these trying days. Christmas is but a reminder of that obligation that we have the year long to help in someway… Donating to the local food pantry, serving meals not just on Thanksgiving and Christmas… but setting aside some time on a regular basis throughout the year to serve those in need, donating time and /or money to help… to do for others.

In our community there are many opportunities to help… TEAM (the Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry) located on Cedar Street is a great place to start. While TEAM’s mission is not focused on the homeless, it does provide services to families that may prevent those families from losing their home by providing resources that allow them to have the monies to pay their rent or house payments.

There are also a large number of organizations in the Birmingham area offering services to the homeless that could doubtless use our assistance. For more information visit my blog or the following link:

http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/opensearch.cgi?city=Birmingham&state=AL

In his book, Who Really Cares, Arthur Brooks defines charity broadly as “voluntary, beneficial, ‘affectionate’ acts that have the ability to transform the giver and receiver in unique and important ways.” Generosity, he declares, is mutually beneficial for the needy and the nurturing. Brooks also observes: “Although 225 million Americans give away money each year, the other 75 million never give to any causes, charities, or churches.  Further, 130 million Americans never volunteer their time.”

What will you give?

“I tell you, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.”

May the spirit of Christmas be with you throughout the year.

_______

Local Homeless Resources…

http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/