Bethesda Cares to Survey the Area's Most Vulnerable Homeless
Bethesda Registry Week November 6-10, 2011
Bethesda, Md. - Bethesda Cares, a non-profit organization, providing services to the homeless and working poor of the DC Metro area, is partnering with Community Solution's 100,00 HOMES Campaign, a national "best practice" for prioritizing housing and services for the most medically vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. Bethesda recently became the 100th community to join the nationwide campaign.
On November 7, 8 and 9, the Bethesda chapter of 100,000 HOMES will create a by-name registry of people living on our streets, enabling service providers to prioritize those who have been on the street the longest and who are the most medically vulnerable. Susan Kirk, Executive Director of Bethesda Cares explained. "This will give us a more accurate understanding of the medically vulnerable indicators that contribute to long-term street homelessness. The index will serve as a social services efficiency tool for prioritizing housing assistance and services. It's the smart way to do the right thing."
During the past three years, Montgomery County has experienced a 77% increase in the number of individuals living on the streets and in places not meant for human habitation. Data from last year's Point-in-Time count also shows a significant increase in the levels of chronic homelessness in Montgomery County. The Bethesda effort will be a direct response to the emerging crisis.
Bethesda Cares has received support and volunteers from the Western Montgomery County Citizen's Advisory Board, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Capital One Bank, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Threshold Services, NAMI, Suburban Hospital, United Healthcare, the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce and local Congregations. The group also received significant support from the Montgomery County Commission on Veteran's Affairs last month when the commission sent policy recommendations to the Montgomery County Council endorsing Bethesda Cares and the group's campaign goals.
For more information call John Mendez at Bethesda Cares. 301.907.9244.
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