The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Editorial: Cleveland's homeless need our help
Early Wednesday morning, dozens of students living off campus got a jolt of reality when winds gusting at more than 60 mph tore down power lines, disrupting both electricity and heat. Faced with inside temperatures as low as 40 degrees and no Internet access, these students abandoned their homes and fled to shelter on campus. They were "homeless" for over 16 hours.
Really, now. How many of us can honestly say that we know what it's like to be homeless? Sure, we may have attended Let's Shack Up in the fall – but sleeping outside for one night surrounded by friends, s'mores, and hot chocolate can't compare to what thousands of people go through every single day. Most of us only have to endure a 15-minute walk to class – imagine spending all day outside in the cold.
According to statistics published by the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH), there were an estimated 19,022 homeless people in Cuyahoga County in 2006. Contrary to what we might assume, they aren't all single, unemployed men: the Cleveland Municipal Project ACT Program saw a 32 percent increase in the number of children using the Homeless Children and Youth Helpline for the last six months of 2007 compared to 2006. And approximately 35 percent of the homeless population reported an income of over $501 per month while staying in shelters.
There are an estimated 4000 people on the streets of Cleveland every night, and only 2000 shelter beds. Where are the rest?
The foreclosure crisis that is currently devastating the surrounding community may provide an answer. Foreclosed properties are abandoned, some still have furniture, and many have electricity and heat to keep water pipes from freezing and bursting. There were 15,297 foreclosures filed in Cuyahoga County in 2007, up from 14,078 in 2006 and 10,935 in 2005. In 2007, Cleveland had four of the top 21 ZIP codes for foreclosure filings in the United States.
Yes, people have been sleeping in abandoned buildings for decades, said Brian Davis, executive director of NEOCH. But the foreclosure crisis is creating more space for such activity than ever before. Outreach work is extremely difficult when the homeless are not in public areas. And neighborhoods like Slavic Village and East Cleveland are being dragged down by the increased crime associated with squatting.
We, the students of Case Western Reserve University, chose to go to school in one of the most struggling cities in the United States. We are some of the most privileged people in the region. It is our responsibility to assist those who aren't so fortunate.
The Homeless Stand Down (see story, page five) is an important way to show our concern for the city of Cleveland. A second is to get directly involved with NEOCH, which offers several internships for students.
This is an issue that needs our immediate attention. What will you do to help?
