While many people continue to practice social distancing and quarantine at home for those who are homeless these guidelines are nearly impossible to follow putting the homeless population more at risk than ever before.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress indicates that “580,466 people were counted as homeless during the 2020 Point-in-Time count.”
Not only did homeless increase during the pandemic but the Point-in-time count survey highlights how a disproportionate number of Black and American Indian/Alaska Native people are experiencing homelessness.
HOPEFUL Inc. is actively working to reduce the homeless population in Sacramento, California including a large majority who are African American through their Homeless & Unsheltered Helping Hands Program.
Since 2007 HOPEFUL Inc.’s Helping Hands Program has raised funds to change the narrative surrounding homelessness to meet the specific needs of the underserved population in Sacramento.
HOPEFUL Inc.’s Helping Hands Program strives to empower those struggling to get on their feet and treats all in need of their services with dignity and respect.
The program emphasizes the importance of combating the spread of COVID-19 virus within and outside of the homeless population to give more individuals and families hope for a better life.
A recent Point-In-Time count conducted throughout Sacramento County reveals that more than “5,500 people are experiencing homelessness at any given night.”
With 20% of the homeless population being families and children, many of those could not attend virtual school because they lacked internet access and had limited students who were allowed into the classrooms at peak of the pandemic.
Public facilities such as schools have been another major resource for homeless students that offer food, shelter, showers, and mental health services year round. But due to COVID-19 many schools in the district had to limit the amount of students allowed within the school buildings due to health guidelines.
The Homeless & Unsheltered Helping Hands Program began providing COVID-19 survival kits last year, which include hand sanitizer, gloves and masks, to the homeless to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
But HOPEFUL Inc. is not stopping there. The Homeless & Unsheltered Helping Hands Program needs your support to stop the growth of homelessness in Sacramento and surrounding areas.
With help from community members, we can help those who are homeless take back control of their lives and be successful.
To learn more and donate to the cause you can visit: https://www.hopefulinc.org/donate
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