From left, David Queen, Friends of Hixson board member; Greg Taylor, Friends of Hixson president; Gene Huffine, Friends of Hixson board member; Jon Berestecky, director of Development for Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition; Bo Watson, TN state senator, District 11; and Mark Harrison, Friends of Hixson board member
Friends of Hixson welcomed Jon Berestecky, director of Development for the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, to the September Coffee meeting at Clear Creek Church of Christ.
Mr. Berestecky provided a passionate update on how homelessness affects the individual, family and community. Over 3,000 people are estimated to be homeless in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Homelessness is a complicated issue, and much misinformation is associated with individuals who do not have a home.
Homelessness is a symptom of several traumatic experiences on individuals that eventually lead to not having a safe home to live in. People often think of beggars and panhandlers when discussing homelessness. Still, homelessness is more complex and a symptom of several factors, including affordability, drug abuse and mental health issues.
According to Mr. Berestecky, Chattanooga lacks affordable housing to meet the demand for homes for young adults aged out of foster care or families fleeing domestic violence. Young adults 18 to 24 make up a large percentage of homelessness in the area. These individuals need stability and a safe home, but many have nowhere to go. When times are tough, these individuals do not have a family support system to fall back on, he said.
The city of Chattanooga has several resources for assisting those individuals without a home. The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition has a flexible housing fund that provides vouchers through case managers to cover the expenses needed to acquire housing, including moving fees, utility fees, and other similar one-time housing acquisition fees. However, this fund needs more money.
The city of Chattanooga contributes $400,000 to the flexible housing fund, and the Coalition depends on individual fundraising to meet the demand. This fund will run out of money in five months, and every day the fund is empty, another family experiences homelessness.
Mr. Berestecky concluded the meeting with Q&A and a passionate plea for fundraising and donations. Anyone who would like to contribute can do so here.