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 Abierto Newswire
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Aaron Couch | 04.21.2008
Over a hundred gathered in front of the Constitution Center today to speak out about the lack of attention the presidential candidates have given to the rise in homelessness and other urban issues.         Homeless Advocates Demand That Candidates Open Their Eyes Monday Rally To Cite Growing Numbers of Homeless and Severe Cuts in Federal Funding to City
RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE Monday, April 21 - 12:00 noon National Constitution Center - 525 Arch Street - Center City Philadelphia
[PHILADELPHIA - April 18, 2008] The number of homeless persons in Philadelphia and other American cities is growing, but the presidential candidates are barely paying attention to the crisis. That will be the message of a press conference and rally to be held today, Monday, April 21, by Project H.O.M.E., Bethesda Project, Horizon House, the Mental Health Association of Southeast Pennsylvania, Homeless Advocacy Project, and allied organizations. The rally will take place today at 12:00 noon outside the National Constitution Center. Homeless persons and advocates will speak about the increasing number of persons on the streets at a time when poverty is growing and resources for housing and services are stretched thin. Between 2000 and 2005, the City of Philadelphia lost $62 million in programs related to affordable housing, community development, and homelessness. In that same period, the City lost an additional $225 million a year in education, law enforcement, job training and other services. With the winter ending and some temporary emergency services set to end, homeless advocates anticipate a sharp rise in the numbers of persons on the city’s streets, especially in Center City. The overall number of persons experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia has risen over the past several years, mirroring increases in the nation’s poverty rate.
“Experience has shown us that even the most chronically homeless persons – those who struggle with mental illness and addiction – want to come in, but there are no appropriate and affordable places for them to go," said S. Mary Scullion, Executive Director of Project H.O.M.E. “That is just the tip of the iceberg, but it's symptomatic of the much deeper crisis in affordable housing affecting countless adults and families across our nation. The federal government has to act together with the cities and regions to face this devastating problem."
A letter was sent Friday to the offices of Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and the presumed Republican nominee John McCain expressing concern about the lack of attention to the plight of homeless persons in the presidential election. It urged each of them to agree to spend time on the streets, either in Philadelphia or another city, before May 31 in an effort to better understand the realities of homelessness. “We believe such a personal experience can be a dynamic basis for developing effective policies that can help us as a country meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens and solve one of our most vexing social problems,” the letter said. The candidates were invited to come or to send a representative to today’s rally to announce their commitment to accepting the invitation.
Speakers will be joined by dozens of blindfolded marchers demanding the government stop turning a blind eye to homelessness. At the conclusion of the rally, blindfolds will be delivered to the offices of all presidential candidates, urging them to open their eyes, take a stand, and acknowledge that homelessness is not a seasonal or out-of-sight, out-of-mind problem. They will also deliver to the candidates a list of policy recommendations to address the urgent issues of street homelessness, developed by providers, advocates, and the faith community. Vote for Homes!, a coalition of 60 organizations working to register, educate, and mobilize homeless, ex-offender, and low-income Philadelphians, will remind the crowd that voting is our way to take a powerful message to our elected officials.
LETTER SENT TO HILLARY CLINTON, JOHN MCCAIN, AND BARACK OBAMA:
Next Tuesday, millions of Pennsylvanians will be casting ballots in the primary election, in what many feel is a pivotal step in our national election. These voters are expressing their hopes for the future of our nation. Meanwhile, on that same day, in our city of Philadelphia, hundreds of chronically homeless men and women find themselves on the streets, while thousands more – including children -- languish in shelters. With resources shrinking and affordable housing more and more out of reach, they have little hope. We are working with Mayor Michael Nutter here in Philadelphia to develop effective policies, representing best practices and proven solutions. We passionately believe that solving homelessness is not only necessary for those men, women, and children who are struggling in such dehumanizing situations, but also for the economic health and vitality of our city. But the reality is that without a meaningful commitment from the federal government, Philadelphia, like other cities, simply cannot make serious progress in addressing this human and social tragedy. Many of us, formerly and currently homeless persons and friends, gathered to watch the candidates’ debate on Wednesday. While we appreciate the commitments being made to address issues of jobs, education, and health care, the focus is almost exclusively on middle- and even upper-income Americans – we heard nothing about those millions of Americans who are struggling with poverty, including those who are forced to live in shelters and on the streets. Thousands of homeless persons in Philadelphia have registered to vote and gotten politically active – and they are waiting for some positive and hopeful message from you. So far, they have heard nothing. In order to help you truly understand the plight and pain of our sisters and brothers who are homeless, we invite you to spend some time on the streets before the end of May. We can help make it possible here in Philadelphia, or perhaps you can do so in another city based on your itinerary. We believe such a personal experience can be a dynamic basis for developing effective policies that can help us as a country meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens and solve one of our most vexing social problems. Hundreds of homeless persons, service providers, advocates, and friends are gathering this coming Monday, April 21, at 12:00 noon in front of the National Constitution Center, the site of last week’s Democratic debate. We intend to raise the urgency of the issues of affordable housing and support services to help us address homelessness. We invite you to attend and tell us that you will commit to spending a night on the streets. If you cannot personally attend our gathering, please send a representative of your campaign, who can communicate to us your commitment. We write on behalf of the thousands of men and women who have experienced homelessness and who have demonstrated how lives can be transformed. We write on behalf of thousands more of our sisters and brothers who deserve a chance to turn their lives around and be able to contribute their gifts and talents to our society. We are waiting to hear from you. We are hopeful that you will respond. Sincerely,
S. Mary Scullion
Joseph Rogers David Dunbeck Angelo Sgro
Marsha Cohen Responder |
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