WITH 29 DAYS TO GO—SAN DIEGANS ARE URGED TO CLEAN OUT THEIR CLOSETS AND DONATE TO PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT AS A NEW REPORT PROFILES HOMELESS SAN DIEGANS
Visual
SAN DIEGO, CA – November 6, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Citing data from a new report about homeless San Diegans that was released today, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria urged local residents to clean out their closets and volunteer their time to make a difference in the lives of homeless San Diegans at The 8th Project Homeless Connect – Downtown San Diego (Project Homeless Connect).
SDHC in National News |
SDHC in Social Media |
The data from the San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) 2013 Project Homeless Connect Report was based on a survey of the 1,143 homeless San Diegans who participated in The 7th Project Homeless Connect one-day resource fair on January 30, 2013. Nearly 70 percent were older adults between the ages of 41 and 70. More than half had a medical condition or disability, and nearly 17 percent were military veterans.
“These are the people who need our help the most, and that’s why we’re putting this call out to San Diegans,” Gloria said at a news conference today to officially kick off the volunteer and donation efforts for Project Homeless Connect. “I encourage all of you to clean out your closets and donate clothing to Project Homeless Connect. Your items are valuable and useful to people living on the streets or staying in shelters.”
As the Honorary Chair of The 8th Project Homeless Connect, Gloria is leading the volunteer and donation efforts for the event, which is 29 days away. Gloria donated gently used blankets and new socks.
The 8th Project Homeless Connect will be held on December 4, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Golden Hall in downtown San Diego.
“Project Homeless Connect reaches out to those in need, providing everything from gently used clothes to toiletries and services such as health screenings, haircuts and legal services,” said City Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner, who donated coats. “It can be a very important first step in helping individuals and families get their lives back on track.”
Joining Gloria and Lightner in making donations of clothing, blankets and other items today were: Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer, Myrtle Cole, Lorie Zapf, Scott Sherman, David Alvarez and Marti Emerald; Assistant Fire Chief Brian Fennessy; and Sister Patricia Cruise from St. Vincent de Paul Village.
“As you can see, addressing homelessness in the City of San Diego requires a team effort,” SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry said. “To make Project Homeless Connect a success, we need the team to grow. We will need 400 volunteers and 75 service providers for the event. We only have 29 days left to build this team.”
Volunteers will staff the registration table, escort clients to different stations, provide food service and perform other key tasks. Services confirmed so far include haircuts by students of College Salons, dental exams by the San Diego County Dental Association, and identification cards by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
SDHC’s 2013 Project Homeless Connect Report helps the community better understand the homeless population that is assisted at the one-day resource fair. According to the report:
• 63.6 percent of those served were men, and 36.4 percent were women;
• 33.0 percent live on a monthly income of $999 or less;
• 58.4 percent were white;
• 16.6 percent were military veterans;
• 52.0 percent had a medical condition or disability;
• 85.9 percent were unemployed; and
• 54.9 percent relied on clinics for health care, while 23.1 percent received care at emergency rooms or hospitals.
The report also stated that 48.6 percent were living on the streets, 18 percent lived at an emergency shelter, 12.2 percent lived with family or friends, and 5.2 percent resided in transitional housing. The remainder lived in a hotel or motel or other temporary housing.
Donations that are needed for The 8th Project Homeless Connect include:
• Mini shampoos, soaps and other toiletries
• New socks
• New or gently used shoes
• New toothbrushes and toothpaste
• New or gently used clothing (especially men’s clothing)
• Luggage (roller bags)
• Eyeglasses
• Non-perishable foods
• New or gently used blankets or sleeping bags
Drop off donations the day before the event at Golden Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at a small loading dock on First Avenue, north of C Street.
For the fourth consecutive time, SDHC is the lead organizer for The 8th Project Homeless Connect. SDHC is providing financial support and, through SDHC’s website, volunteer recruitment for the effort. SDHC’s major organizing partners are the Interfaith Shelter Network, Family Health Centers of San Diego and St. Vincent de Paul Village.
For more information about how to volunteer at Project Homeless Connect, donate clothing or provide services, visit www.sdhc.org.
Media Contact: Maria Velasquez, Vice President
Community Relations & Communications
619-578-7560 mariav (at) sdhc (dot) org
+