Faith House, a Chanute shelter for homeless people, is in an economic pinch. FAITH HOUSE is in its sixth year and was created to specifically help the homeless.
Linda Stange told Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning the facility that serves Neosho and adjoining counties, including Allen, had come up short with fundraising efforts. She proposed Allen County dip into alcohol tax money returned for local distribution, to help out.
“We’ll try to do our best,” said Chairman Dick Works, and asked Stange to fill out an application for assistance — she suggested $10,000 — which will be decided at the commission’s Nov. 19 meeting. A decision was put off until Commissioner Jim Talkington, unable to attend Tuesday’s session, may participate.
“We have 20 people (mothers and children) in the home,” which has 12 beds, Stange said. “We probably could have 50 if we had room.”
So far this year Faith House has sheltered 184 people, including 52 from Allen County. Allen County has contributed financially in the past but didn’t this year.
Stange added the shelter’s annual budget was bare-bones at $90,000, which included $52,000 for counselor and staff salaries. She said most of those involved were “because we realize something needs to be done.”
Stange said more local people fit into that category than many would suppose.
“It’s not just a problem for big cities,” she said.
Faith House isn’t a refuge for the idle.
Those taken in are expected to search for employment, housing and child care. Staff members help clients reach those goals, through instructions in how to develop budgets and put together resumes. They also practice interviewing skills.
With the aim of keeping them independent once employment is found, Faith House staff members also follow up to help clients. That includes intervention classes to avoid alcohol dependency and abuse of prescription drugs, which Stange said was becoming more of a problem.
Economic distress occurs more often today, Stange said, because of external forces.
Financial guidelines for daycare assistance have changed through the Kansas Department for Children and Families, she said, which has put a burden on working moms.
“Before, daycare assistance was provided if a mother had a job of 20 hours a week,” she said. “Now, it’s 28 hours.”
That is exacerbated by large companies having to provide insurance coverage for employees working 25 hours or more, through requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
“Some companies are cutting back on hours to get under 25, which is too few for a mother to get daycare assistance,” she said.
And, with the minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, daycare often takes about half a single mother’s paycheck.
Contact Bob Johnson by email at [email protected].
Faith House needs helping hand
