Some of you may have seen my post earlier I'm worried, in the comment threads I'm informed that the only homeless resource in the country that I know is effective will not be getting funding in the proposed city budget.
Not funding this program run through Transition Projects, an organization that has helped numerous Kossacks including myself, means there will be more wandering the streets when they really need a safe secure home with adequate support. Failing the safe secure home, an emergency shelter is important. Even when funded there was so much demand that the wait list stayed at 90 days. Now it will leap into infinity for people on the streets. During the worst economic depression in this nations history.
There is something we can do:
City of Portland budget shortfalls threaten continued funding for the Clark Center. The Clark Center is one of Portland’s most successful programs for ending people’s homelessness. It provides immediate shelter for men and connects them to stable or permanent housing. The Clark Center is not in the Portland Housing Bureau’s proposed 2013-2014 fiscal year budget, although the bureau has requested funding for it as its highest priority in a budget add-back package.
What the loss of the Clark Center would mean:
The immediate homelessness of 90 men.
Between January 28 and February 3, 2013, Transition Projects had to turn away 546 people for shelter. Closing the Clark Center will add more than 600 people annually who will be denied shelter.
Dramatic increases in the wait for shelter.
As of February 4th, the wait for men’s shelter is currently 12 weeks. Closing the Clark Center would mean immediate waits of at least 24 weeks--6 months.
Here is an outline of what should be written to these offices including the instruction to make it personal, there is more at the link. (PDF)
I am aware of the difficult budget decisions that you must make this year. I would appreciate your careful consideration of this request to fully fund the Clark Center at $538,700, and to support the Portland Safety Net. Funding these programs is an investment in success.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Phone Number
Contact Information for City Council and the Mayor
Honorable Charlie Hales
City of Portland
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 340
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4120
mayorcharliehales@portlandoregon.gov
Honorable Amanda Fritz
City of Portland
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 220
Portland OR 97204
503-823-3008
Amanda@portlandoregon.gov
Honorable Nick Fish
City of Portland
1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240
Portland OR 97204
503-823-3589
nick@portlandoregon.gov
Honorable Dan Saltzman
City of Portland
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 230
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 823-4151
dan@portlandoregon.gov
Honorable Steve Novick
City of Portland
1221 SW 4th Ave. Suite 210
Portland, OR 97204
novick@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-4682
Save the Clark Center Facebook Page