A LIST OF IDEAS TO HELP ADDRESS
 HOMELESSNESS
in Montgomery County, Pa

Montgomery County shut down their only homeless facility circa June, 2022 without making plans for the people in our county needing shelter.  There is a Task Force working on it .... but there are people in need now. Let's give them a few ideas ... and then give them a little push to "step on it".

        
    Send me your ideas --- in very brief form --- to add to this list
  send them to  lel@abingtoncitizens.com

Have a  very simple Township run directory of all rental units with the prices being charged – updated only yearly

Actually have the county maintain throughout the various Townships a "stable " of modest housing that can be given to those in need for a % of their income. If their income increases, they can move to a "less modest"  model. If they have a need to be in a certain location (ie: near family)  the county can buy somehting there.  Vienna,  has a huge system of public housing that contributes it to consistently ranking among the most liveable cities in Europe.   

Have a Township run list of job postings – just the name of the job & link where to find it – nothing more

Have every Township post a page with the challenges they face dealing with homelessness and to invite the public to share solutions

Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain (generous) amount to sponsor a rental (apt or home) for a family in need

Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain (generous)  amount to sponsor food for a family in need

Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain (generous) amount to sponsor a  course in finding a job  for those  in need

Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain (generous)  amount to sponsor mental health insurance  for one person  in need

Ask every business whose profit statement is over a certain (generous)  amount to sponsor a mentor for those seeking to get out of homelessness

Consider a Habitat for Humanity style entity just for Abington that will  purchase & rehab of existing  abandoned, sheriff sale and  deteriorating housing. And like Habitat for Humanity. With grant  or CDBG funding and community donations and participation.

The homeless and those vulnerable to homlessness need us to provide
        --- psychological and social services
        --- job training
        --- mentors in job seeking skills ( resume writing, how to interview, how to find jobs, etc )
        --- childcare services 
        --- medicare  all under certain income
        --- parenting classes or mentors
        --- abuse protection
        --- home improvement advice, mentoring or funds
        --- help (ie: tax or other benefit ) for those caring for children and for seniors, too

    These things prevent the vulnerable from  transitioning to homelessness. 
       --- home improvement programs so they can care for their home
       --- college scholarships for low income qualified candidates
        --- career counseling from high school into adulthood - as long as it is needed

     How to fund what is needed
       ---  Require the Township/State to provide careful taxpayer friendly analysis of spending
       --- Require spending analysis to show when anyone receives benefits paid for taxpayers
            Do not allow those of moderte to high income to receive such benefits
       --- Bring ample businesses to keep taxes low  for residents.