Homeless face could be yours

Local. Suburban. The first word describes the vast majority of North Idaho's homeless population. The second has become the biggest growth category in poverty and homelessness nationwide. While in general homelessness is down locally (no doubt thanks in part to the coalition of local charities, businesses, government officials, and agencies of the Committee to End Homelessness), family homelessness persists nationwide, and suburban poverty and has risen significantly since the recession - many of these former middle class homeowners. Both facts elicit surprise.

"The biggest misconception is that all homeless just need a bus ticket out of here. Unfortunately over 80 percent are from here. They went to school here; are multigenerational north Idaho residents. I'm not sure the community understands that," said Jeff Conroy, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Coeur d'Alene.

Why would people assume the homeless are vagrants and travelers? Perhaps it's a subconscious desire to keep homelessness at a distance, to believe not only that it couldn't happen to "us," but that home-grown homelessness isn't the kind of community we foster. To believe that may be reassuring, but untrue.

"We" are far from immune; in fact Idaho still ranks in the top 10 states for rates of homelessness (and 10th in child homelessness) according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the National Center on Family Homelessness, respectively. The Brookings Institution ranked the neighborhoods surrounding Boise as seventh among the nation's highest growth areas of suburban poverty, with a 129 percent increase between 2000 and 2011.

Ada County is in Region 7, with 39 percent of Idaho's known homeless population of 1,781 as counted in January 2013. Region 1, or North Idaho's five counties, has the second highest rate at 21 percent. Keep in mind, homelessness is often transitional, so numbers vary throughout the year.

Suburban poverty in the last decade rose an average 53 percent nationwide. This is a relatively new phenomenon; formerly homelessness was concentrated in urban areas. Big cities meant crowds and poverty and all the ills that go with it - more drugs, gangs, and crime. Not anymore; as cities revamp and costs go up, they've attracted higher incomes, and working families as well as unemployed have flocked to suburbia for work and a better lifestyle. But that's only part of the picture; the sad fact is that much of suburban poverty's increase comes from pre-existing suburbanites, who've lost jobs and can't afford the mortgage. Food banks, social services, and infrastructure struggle mightily, without the resources to keep up.

It can happen fast. At minimum wage, a full-time worker makes about $15,000 annually, barely enough to cover costs for one person in a low-rent apartment, but insufficient for a parent with only one child according to the Census Bureau's poverty thresholds. Child care for one adds more than $4,000 per year. We all know costs just keep going up.

Many homeless are children enrolled in school. They're often hungry (inadequate sleep and food make learning difficult) and live outside in tents, cars, or when lucky, shelters. Teachers and fellow students may not know; kids may fear telling will mean separation from parents.

Not counting people without permanent residence who "couch-hop" or stay with friends and relatives, St. Vincent de Paul reports the latest point-in-time study (January 2013) showed 379 homeless living in north Idaho. Thanks to working on the problem and an improving economy that's less than 2011's count, but not where we want to be.

Some kids just age out of foster care at 18 without resources, perhaps before high school graduation, ending up homeless. About 25 percent of Idaho's homeless are children; another quarter are over 50. Twelve percent are veterans; 30 percent have a physical or mental disability; 18 percent are victims of domestic violence. One in 25 Idaho children does not know when their next meal will be.

The homeless have had famous company. Halle Barry once lived in a shelter and Drew Carey lived out of his car (like a local teen I know who shied from help so she wouldn't be separated from her mentally ill mom). Ella Fitzgerald and Nobel winner Harry Martinson were homeless as children.

The best thing I've learned about this community is that despite its continuing growth we are still close-knit and come together to help others. It's getting colder. Times are tougher for all. We do more with less, but most of us can find a way to help a neighbor in need.

Press subscribers can put out a bag of nonperishable food on the porch through Oct. 30; your carrier will collect it for the food banks. Fundraising events coming up through St. Vincent de Paul include: Nov. 1 - Maison de Couture Fashion Show at Eagles Lodge, 5:30 p.m. ($25); Nov. 2 - "Hoops for the Homeless" 3-on-3 basketball tournament (with Boys and Girls Club); Nov. 9 - "Run a Mile in Their Shoes" 5K and 10K starting at O'Shay's Irish Pub; Nov. 18 - Vigil for the Homeless, 5:30 p.m. at Human Rights Education Institute; and Nov. 21 - "Souport the End of Homelessness," join me for lunch at Kootenai County Fair Grounds.

Volunteers, donations, and help with food, toy, and blanket drives are needed year-round. Make easy online donations and get more information at http://stvincentdepaulcda.org, or call (208) 664-3095. Their multi-agency H.E.L.P. Center is in the old library building at 201 Harrison in Coeur d'Alene. At the very least, please buy a thermal sleeping bag or a warm coat and a toothbrush and take them to the Center.

"Home is a notion that only nations of the homeless fully appreciate and only the uprooted comprehend." - Wallace Stegner, "Angle of Repose."

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who is lucky enough to have never been homeless. Yet. Contact her at sholeh@cdapress.com.