WABASH — Hoping to stem the tide of those with housing insecurities, a local nonprofit organization recently launched its inaugural fundraising campaign.
Housing Action of Wabash County, HWAC, is a consortium of Wabash County nonprofits, government agencies, and churches whose missions and clientele bring them into contact with homeless and other low-income families and individuals.
HAWC leadership hopes to raise in excess of $180,000 annually for operations.
“After meeting informally for more than 10 years, HAWC recently incorporated to bring focus to this problem by advocating for the housing insecure, applying for corporate and government grants, and appealing to the good people of Wabash County. We have recently made some important strides,” said Jim Gaier, HAWC board president.
According to HAWC statistics, more than 400 people faced homelessness last year in Wabash County. More than 100 were children.
“The question of where to sleep for the night is a real question for some,” said Rhonda Duhamell, HWAC executive director. “The answer may have been to sleep in their cars, in abandoned buildings, or under bridges. Others know where they will sleep tonight, but will be evicted and out on the street at the end of the week because they can’t make their rent payment. These people found themselves homeless for a wide variety of reasons; job less, fleeing an abusive situation with their children. Or Mental or physical disability.”
An expert on this, Duhamell also serves as Wabash County housing director for Advantage Housing. She’s a walking encyclopedia of statistics regarding the homeless problem in the community. Duhamell’s knowledge of the topic is surpassed only by her tireless compassion for those facing so many facing financial uncertainties.
The U.S. Census Bureau calculates Wabash County is currently sitting at a 12 percent poverty rate. According to the most recent report issued by the government, the poverty threshold for a family of four is $29,960. For an individual, the poverty threshold is $14,891. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues its poverty guidelines based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds.
HAWC can currently provide short-term housing solutions for up to three rooms at the Bliss Point Inn located at the south end of town. Leadership hopes that number can increase exponentially over the course of time.
“There needs to be a permanent emergency shelter in this community. Our hopes is to increase the number of rooms we able to offer in the coming months,” added Gaier.
HAWC organizers plan is for the organization to become a one-stop place for those in need. Eventually, offering a staff of counselors who can assist someone with the most immediate needs eventually helping them fill out essential applications.
“We would love to be able to finance a counselor or two who can sit down with these people and walk them through the process of going from being homeless to independence,” said Duhamell.
HAWC has established the Housing Helpline (260-274-1515) to connect those needing housing assistance.