Thursday, May 31, 2007

Imminent Homelessness

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” - Mother Teresa

A group of our neighbors are barreling toward homelessness.

Today's front page tells the horrific story of how people can be left behind and forgotten.

The Oak Hill Estates trailer park in Raleigh, NC has been condemned. Human waste is contaminating the water supply, rats are chewing through rental homes, garbage has not been picked up for weeks, and the people who live there are being told to leave. Most of us cannot imagine living in what can only be described as squalor - but these folks have no where else to go and have not harnessed enough collective power to force the landlord to change. Average rent in Wake County is over $700 per month and most of these residents can barely afford the $450 they are currently paying. Maybe some of them will find their way to Genesis Home.

We urge you to take a look at photos of Oak Hill Estates and advocate for increased access to affordable housing. This is not a developing country. This is our backyard. These are our neighbors. This is our community.