'It's scary'

Homeless shelters may face funding freeze

December 9, 1995
Web posted at: 8:50 a.m. EST

From Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten

DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) -- As winter sets in, most of us only experience its bitter bite on the way to the car or to the door of our homes. But for the millions of American homeless, avoiding the cold is a constant focus. Now, a new trend meant to stem homelessness may be taking away their temporary shelter.

Ramonda Watts is expecting her second child any day now. She lost her home when she lost her lease. "I didn't feel good about bringing my daughter here," she said.

"Here" is Detroit's East Side Emergency Center. "We provide emergency shelter, act as a warming center in the cold months, provide counseling," said Rev. Ann Johnson, the center's director. (85K AIFF sound or 85K WAV sound)

Now Detroit, along with several other communities in the United States, is changing the way it deals with homeless people. It is switching from emergency, drop-in type centers to what is known as transitional housing. "They not only provide the basic needs but they provide the educational services, job training, child care, substance abuse, mental health intervention and health care," said city official JoAnne Klocke.

At a conference on the problem, Detroit's mayor explained that those skills are especially important to help reverse a disturbing trend. "I want you to think about our largest growing population of homelessness in America, and that's our children, average age, 9-years-old," Mayor Dennis Archer said. (94K AIFF sound or 94K WAV sound)

Officials say that the transition is necessary. "Individuals were put into emergency shelters and in 30 days or more, they were sent out into the street again and then were sheltered again at another emergency shelter causing what we call 'revolving door homelessness,'" Klocke said.

As local shelters are asked to provide more services for longer periods of time, the problem of funding becomes acute. That worries Ramonda Watts. She believes that some people will get caught in the slamming door of the new facility if funding doesn't come through. "Probably just a lot of people out in the cold on the streets," she said. (60K AIFF sound or 60K WAv sound)

The federal government isn't likely to be an alternative in quelling her fears. A deputy assistant secretary with the Housing and Urban Development said budget cuts have slashed the amount of money available to pay for programs. "It's really scary," said HUD's Jacquie Lawing.

And it's scary to the Rev. Johnson, who asks, "Where's the funding come from? Nowhere." And that's where Ramonda Watts is afraid she'll be if the money dries up.

'It's scary'

Homeless shelters may face funding freeze

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