Homeless Coalition says they need donations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Homelessness has been an ongoing issue in our community and point of discussion.
Jon Berestecky, the Development Director of The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, offered perspective on the current homelessness situation.
Berestecky says that as of last count, the Homeless Coalition counts over 1,100 homeless individuals in the Chattanooga area.
He says this is defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as anyone living in a place not meant for human habitation.
Berestecky said, “The reality is we have young adults, 18 to 24, who just got put out. We’ve got young people who age out of foster care with nowhere to go. We’ve got families who are fleeing domestic violence, who are looking for some stability, and then we have individuals who have been on the street for a long time.”
He also shared that Hamilton County Schools counted over 1,800 students in the last school year who they classify as homeless.
They use a definition that includes children who are sharing housing and living in short-term rentals like motels for example.
HCS told News 12 that for these students, it offers several rights to them through the McKinney-Vento Act.
These include the right to attend their original school, ability to change schools even if they lack proper documentation, and free transportation.
They also offer several services through their Families in Transition Program including:
- Assistance with Immediate Enrollment
- Free breakfast and lunch
- Advocate for student’s and family’s rights.
- Support School Administration and Parents with Best Interest Determination (BID) Meetings
- Participate in 504 and IEP Meetings.
- Transportation to school or activities.
- Shuttle buses
- CARTA passes
- Uber cards
- Gas cards
- Hygiene Products
- Uniforms
- Non-uniform clothing
- Socks and Shoes
- School supplies
- Referrals to local agencies
- Referrals to Housing Navigation
- Project Prom:
- Hot Spots
- School fees, sports fees and equipment, senior fees, cap and gowns
- FASFA letters
In addition to the statistics presented by the Homeless Coalition, they are concerned about the stability of their Flexible Housing Fund, which helps homeless families move into shelter.
Berestecky said, “Right now, we are running out of money in five months the past two years. We need to double that fund; we need to essentially raise $400,000 in the next six months so we can keep this fund going all year round. Every day the fund sits empty, is a day a family experiences homelessness needlessly in Hamilton County.”
He added that while the situation has improved since a spike due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it could re-worsen with rising rent and housing prices.
The Regional Coalition is asking for donations to help rehouse more homeless families.
