For years many Houston area Social Service agencies have helped Houston residents stay afloat and prevent homelessness, but recently there has been a drop in private donor giving, paired with a rise in need for assistance. Memorial Assistance Ministries saw a 30% decline in giving, and SEARCH Homeless Services had an increase of people in need rise from 1,400 to 2,200 people over the year.

For some these figures may sound bleak, but thankfully for Houston residents it looks like there is still hope in sight for those in need.

About $17 million in federal stimulus money will go to Houston area social service agencies to help prevent homelessness. Local agencies have seen a rise in needs as they are seeing more people homeless for the first time. This is where Charlene Pettway finds herself – the single mother of a 14 year old son, she had worked three jobs to make ends meet, but when she lost all of them within a five month period she came to Houston to look for a better life.

“People don’t realize it’s the people you to go church with and the people you go to work with. It doesn’t matter how well you plan. Things happen,” Pettway shared. This is true as more people are on the verge of homelessness with fewer dollars. Normally agencies provide rent and utility assistance for one month, but there is an increase as more people need assistance for 3-5 months. But the stimulus will help fill the gap and get help to those in need.

Harris County recently awarded about $4.4 million in funding to six agencies, Houston will soon award approximately $12.3 million to 11 agencies, and more agencies in Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties are expected to receive stimulus funding as well. Houston residents can take comfort in knowing that there is help out there when needed, and the people in need will continue to get assistance this year as the need rises.

Source: www.chron.com