Managing Scarce Homeless and Housing Services

Here’s a little frustration of mine with homeless and housing services. Here today, gone tomorrow (or next week). Too much need! And hard to manage such small pots of money.

So, this is NOT a rip on the non-profits doing this, this is just a frustration over the lack of resources for the high needs that exist. Check out these two services that were here and gone so quickly that most people who needed the services were probably never told about it. It just always seems somehow unfair, however, what else are the non-profits supposed to do? A lottery? I don’t know, its just a frustration I thought I would share about the huge needs in our community and the minimal resources available.

EYEGLASSES
Here today . . .

From: “Wallinger, Sue”
To:
Date: 11/30/2012 02:42 PM
Subject: FW: Eye Exam/Glasses vouchers

The Salvation Army has a limited number of vouchers for free eye exams and eyeglasses, which must be used by the end of the year. The exam and eyeglasses are provided by local Shopko stores. This program is geared towards children, but adults are considered.

If you know of a child in need, please contact Melissa Sorensen at 250.2227.

Thank you!

Leigha Weber | Social Services, Director
The Salvation Army

Gone 8 days later

From: Melissa Sorensen]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 3:32 PM
To: Wallinger, Sue
Subject: Re: FW: Eye Exam/Glasses vouchers

Hi Sue,
Could you forward on that these eye glass vouchers are now gone.

Thank you!!

Melissa Sorensen
Services Coordinator
The Salvation Army

UTILITY ASSISTANCE
One week of services

from: Wallinger, Sue
to:
date: Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 11:03 AM
subject: FW: CACSCW Utility Assistance

CAC will be helping with Utility Assistance VERY TEMPORARILY from now through only the next couple weeks until 12/14/12. Since it is only for two weeks, it will be first come – first serve. Please refer anyone who you think is in need of this help.

I have a CAC staff person – Lexa – that has only 20 hours a week to set appointment times to meet with people, process and approve applications. Participants will have to call CAC’s front desk and enter in (or be transferred to) Ext. 224. If Lexa is unavailable, they will need to leave a message and she will call them back.

Once the appointment times are all scheduled through 12/14, the funding will be gone and no other appointment will be made.I hope this makes sense – same application, same requirements.

Utility Assistance (CSBG funding through 12/14)

Fall below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL) – Effective January 26, 2012 (below);
Maximum $225 per household per year;

Household Size 1
Annual Gross Income $13,963
Monthly Gross Income $1,164

Household Size 2
Annual Gross Income $18,913
Monthly Gross Income $1,576

Household Size 3
Annual Gross Income $23,863
Monthly Gross Income $1,989

Household Size 4
Annual Gross Income $28,813
Monthly Gross Income $2,401

Household Size 5
Annual Gross Income $33,763
Monthly Gross Income $2,814

Household Size 6
Annual Gross Income $38,713
Monthly Gross Income $3,226

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kristina Dux
Family Development Manager
Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin Inc.

CONCLUSION
It’s a no win situation for the non-profits. It doesn’t seem fair to the clients. You could go on vacation for a week, come back and read the email to discover the services would be gone. If they announced these services and a date they were starting there would be people camping out to get the services. Again, I’m not upset with the nonprofits, they are doing what they can, but it just shows the HUGE need in the community and lack of resources for the most basic of things.