If the signs of need in our community weren’t clear enough, Monday’s front page added a chilling perspective.
News that homelessness in Snohomish County could set a record this year is disconcerting, but hardly comes as a surprise. More and more people are getting caught in the county’s economic paradox: They’re earning less or are out of work altogether, yet housing costs continue to climb.
Shelters, already filled to capacity, turned away more than 7,000 children and adults in the first six months of the year, according to the county’s Human Services Department. To make matters worse, people are tending to stay longer in shelters, and the percentage of military veterans living in county shelters has doubled since 2000.
As the temperature falls outside, the situation becomes even more dire for these folks.
Those with housing are being squeezed, too. The national Low Income Housing Coalition earlier this month released a study that found a worker in Snohomish County would have to make $17.75 per hour, more than double the state minimum wage, to afford a two-bedroom apartment. The same research found that 57 percent of county homeowners are devoting more than 30 percent of their income to housing — an increase of nearly 20 percentage points since 1990 — leaving less for other needs.
Happily, Snohomish County has a history of digging deep to help neighbors in need. The need has rarely been greater, and opportunities to give are plentiful. One is the annual United Way of Snohomish County’s Community Campaign, which kicked off last week.
Last year’s campaign raised $10.26 million for a wide range of critical needs. Knowing that times are tough, the United Way is trying some creative approaches this year, including:
n Drawing $100,000 from first-time business donors (the Boeing Co. will match the first $60,000 raised);
n Signing up 1,000 first-time individual donors;
n Getting current donors to kick in an extra $5 per month.
In this economy, the United Way faces quite a challenge. When a representative calls on your business, or when your employer sends you a donor packet, do what you can to help. Your neighbors need you.
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