What can we do to improve conditions for homeless families in our own localities?

There’s a growing imbalance of income and wealth in the U.S. Many large corporations now have unprecedented levels of economic and political power. In a Bill Moyers NOW program (December 2003), a correspondent stated, “Wal-Mart is now the nation's biggest retailer and its biggest grocer too, but there's evidence the low prices come -- in part -- at government expense… that the corporation shifts financial burdens to taxpayers. Health care is one of them. Consider this contrast: Unionized supermarket workers pay little or nothing for their health plans and have an average hourly wage of $10.35 per hour. Wal-Mart workers earn about 25% less” (and pay for health coverage).

Poor employee pay and benefits is probably the most basic factor contributing to chronic homelessness -- as most homeless adults are employed, but usually in the lowest-paying jobs with no benefits. This is defended in the name of free market competition, but even unionized stores with better wages and benefits may be forced to cut back to meet their competition. A UC study shows taxpayers pay $86 million per year for health care and social services needed just by Wal-Mart employees in California.

Growing numbers of working people don’t make enough to afford a home (not even a rented one) or private health care coverage. This situation is faced by most homeless families in Contra Costa County, California. The county government has applied for a “two-for-one” matching grant from First Five, a group committed to helping families with children ages birth through five years. They hope to keep existing family shelters open – at least during the coming winter.

A new family shelter is also proposed by the Interfaith Council. Last year, over $73,000 was donated to the Winter Nights Program, and motel rooms were provided to homeless families in the absence of shelter space. Unused monies will carry forward to this year’s program, but more is needed to fund the program through the winter of 2004-05. Please make a pledge to contribute money, supplies, and/or volunteer hours, as you are able, at the interfaith council office.

Unfortunately, a ballot measure help to provide health care insurance to all workers was defeated on November 2, 2004 in California. Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and other large retailers opposed Proposition 72, which would have instituted a new law requiring employers with more than certain numbers of employees to offer means to assist employees in obtaining health care insurance. Although the measure would NOT have involved any kind of government-run health system, political advertising was designed to give that impression, and this no doubt contributed strongly to the proposition's defeat at the polls.

Another local group is working on a program to wipe out homelessness in the Bay Area within the next ten years. Homelessness is one missed paycheck or one serious medical emergency away for many people. It could happen to any of us under a combination of unforeseen circumstances. Let’s respond as we’d want others to respond if it were our OWN family that happened to find itself homeless. Jesus said, “Treat people exactly as you would like them to treat you” (Luke 6:31 JBP mod.)


Some questions to think about:

"What are some of the local or national companies that homeless people work for?"

"What is the extent of the subsidy these companies are getting from the public, i.e., the amount they 'save' by not paying an adequate living wage or providing health benefits?"

"How can this situation be addressed, both directly with the business community and with increased public awareness of this basic 'root' of the problem?"

"How do we, as a society, assess the responsibility and share of paying for the solution for this set of problems? Will legislation requiring employers to offer health insurance to employees be helpful in addressing the problem?"

"Must we shoulder the burden of higher taxes for public support of housing and health in order that we may pay a few dollars less at large retail stores (assuming their 'savings' are passed on to consumers and not added to already staggering packages for their CEOs)?"

"Are there records accessible by the public showing current local employment data?"

What about it? Do YOU think these questions are appropriate for us to be asking?

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