By Luo Lian
Advocates for the homeless said they were happy with two measures adopted by the Baltimore County Council last week that provide additional services to those who live on the street.
Debra Brown, a former homeless person who is a member of the Baltimore County Community for the Homeless, said the council’s actions will help some of the region’s most vulnerable people.
“I’ve been homeless for a long period of time,” Brown said during the council meeting. “Now I feel happy, not only for myself, but also for someone else who can get the chance to have better living environment.”
The council approved two measures last week to help the homeless.
The first was a $48,510 expenditure to extend the county’s Street Outreach Program, which provides homeless people who hot meals, showers and other services.
In addition, the council allocated an additional $32,000 to a $3.7 million contract the county has with the Community Assistance Network (C.A.N.), a local nonprofit that operates three overnight shelters and provides the needy with rental assistance, emergency fuel aid, and other services.
C.A.N. will use the additional money to help 16 families transition from its shelters to more permanent housing.
The group’s president, Fred Weimert, said the network is still seeking more help to house the homeless as well as additional employment assistance.
“Although we have reached some progress, there are still thousands of homeless people in Baltimore County,” Weimert said. “We still require more for improving their lives.”
Weimert said the county still has to do more for those who have moved out of the shelters that C.A.N. operates.
“Some people who have gotten alternative housing are still suffering from high rent, so we must continue our aid for those in need until they get sustainable affordable housing,” Weimert said in an interview.
Sue Bull, the homeless service coordinator in the Baltimore County Department of Planning, said there are an estimated 6,000 homeless people in the county.
“The homeless shelters in Baltimore County accommodate more than 500 people every day,” she said. “There are still hundreds of homeless people on the street that we are tracking.”
During the council meeting last week, the Rev. Angela Shepherd gave what many felt was an inspired speech in support of the Baltimore County Community for the Homeless.
“A lot of people who are still living in their cars, living the temporary shelters in Baltimore County are waiting for housing, for having a place to live,” she told the council during a public hearing. “I urge you to not be afraid of helping others, and I hope everyone can have a place to live in this county.”