Since December 2006, Heroes for the Homeless has been quietly helping men, women and children forced to live outdoors in the Seattle metropolitan area by distributing hot chocolate, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, hygiene products, clothing, and other survival supplies.
Our goal is to help the homeless individuals we serve maintain their dignity and independence. Although we are not a faith-based organization, we believe our work is a spiritual ministry.
Heroes for the Homeless operates through the generous contributions of private citizens and the support of community partners. We are recognized as a public charity in the State of Washington and under federal tax code 501(c)3.
The TRUTH about Homelessness
* Poverty is the leading cause of homelessness, NOT mental illness or substance abuse. Other causes include the lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, unexpected illness, the inability to find work once unemployment stops, divorce, emancipation from foster care, and release from incarceration without a transition plan to housing.
* On any given night in King County, over 8400 individuals are without a place to call home. Statewide, there are more than 20,000 individuals facing homelessness.
* The definition of Homelessness includes living outdoors in visible and hidden areas, living in vehicles, staying in emergency shelters, transitionally housed while in treatment or otherwise, couch-surfing from place to place, supplementing the lack of housing with the occasional stay at a motel, or any combination of these situations.
* While single males account for the majority of homeless individuals; 20% are women and 18% are families with minor children.
* The number of homeless individuals over age 50 is rapidly increasing. Those who rely solely on social security often fall short on rent, medical needs, and food.
* Many homeless individuals are employed, but they cannot afford housing. Washington*s minimum wage, although higher than federal standards, is only $8.07, well below a living wage. Furthermore, many homeless individuals are unable to secure consistent full-time work, relying instead on part-time, temporary or the occasional odd-job to make ends meet.
* An estimated 40 million Americans do not have health insurance. Unexpected illness or disability can easily cause someone to become homeless.
* Many homeless individuals decline public assistance or are unable to navigate the complexity of the social service system. Others are barred from assistance due to criminal histories or undocumented citizenships.
* Crimes committed against the homeless go largely unreported. They include hate crimes of a violent nature, rape, harassment, police brutality, discrimination, theft, and murder. Women, the disabled, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.
* It is extremely difficult to find housing and employment once a person enters the criminal justice system. Even for those who resort to stealing food or hygiene products out of desperation, the stigmatism and long-term effects of even a minor a criminal conviction can be devastating.
* The most difficult persons to place in emergency shelter housing are males with minor children. Another difficult group to place are married couples without children.
* Waiting lists for low-income housing in King County can exceed 2 years.
* Securing a Section 8 voucher does not mean a person will obtain housing. There are many people with these federal subsidy vouchers who cannot find an apartment to rent. It is currently legal in Washington State for landlords to discriminate against potential renters based on income.
* In March 2005, the King County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness promised to add 900+ housing units per year in order to meet its goal to end homelessness by the year 2014. The Plan has failed. Strategic initiatives to build new housing are in limbo and existing housing units occupied by the working poor continue to disappear, in opposition to the Plan's goals.
* Shelters are not always the best option for the homeless because of overcrowding, the rampant spread of disease, violence, unsanitary conditions, and drug activity. It is often safer to sleep outdoors.
