Community Voices: Partnerships must be formed in Sauk Valley to address homelessness

The phrase “‘tis the season” comes from the centuries-old Welsh hymn “Deck the Halls.” During the Christmas season, you will hear this song at least 10 times a day on the radio.

Do you know what other song is a staple this time of year?: “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” I don’t know about you, but I’ll be glad when Dec. 26 gets here. Because I can’t get that song out of my head, thanks to WIXN 1460 AM radio.

The holiday season is the season to be joyful, caring and giving. For most, this time of year is a joyful time.

However, it is not such a joyful time for some. Many Sauk Valley region residents are safe, warm and comfortable in their homes. However, for some, that is not the case.

Homelessness is a growing problem in our communities, and it is straining the resources that deal with this issue. We need to resolve this problem sooner rather than later because the resources that are dealing with it will not be able to meet the demands being put on them for much longer.

The cities of Sterling and Dixon recently passed no public camping ordinances in response to a growing problem in these communities. The problem is that a few individuals in these communities choose to live outdoors, refuse help and consistently fail to obey local laws. These few individuals are not only causing problems for businesses, libraries and homeowners, but they are also causing problems for other members of the homeless population – the ones who want help to get back on the path of being productive members of society and who will accept the help they receive to accomplish that feat.

The causes of homelessness include economic hardships, escape from domestic abuse, mental health problems, and intellectual and physical disabilities. The list of causes is endless. Homelessness is an involuntary result of many of these causes. Rarely is homelessness voluntary.

The PADS homeless shelter has been operating in the Twin Cities since 1990. Since its beginning, it has survived on grants, local contributions and volunteers. PADS is not where lazy people stay or criminals hide from the police. It is a homeless shelter that provides safe refuge for those who need temporary shelter and nothing more.

PADS operates on an annual budget of roughly $150,000, which pays for a razor-thin operation. It has four employees: a director, case workers and a substance abuse counselor.

Although PADS is technically open only during nighttime hours to provide a safe sleeping shelter for its clients, it needs to be able to offer daytime hours to reduce the issues that are straining other public services. According to my estimates, to be open during the daytime hours where these clients can receive mental health care services, job skills training and other social services, it would take as much as an additional $100,000 a year, and it would need to double its staff.

In Illinois, grants are not an infinite funding source for social services. Illinois is rumored to be facing a budget deficit of more than $300 million next year, and we all know what gets cut when the state goes broke.

That’s right, human services usually get the cut before any other state agency does.

This means that grants, once available to PADS, may not be available in the future. We have learned that you cannot rely on the state to always be there. We need to look inward and determine how we can work together to resolve the issues of homelessness and its causes.

Many Sauk Valley communities have instituted programs to help people from becoming homeless and to stay in their homes. The Sterling City Clerk’s office has the “Gift of Giving” program, through which donations can help families pay their sewer and garbage bills for the winter months. Teri and her staff have been a blessing in helping those who need help. Kudos to her and the staff for going the extra mile for the residents of Sterling. For more information about this program, please get in touch with the Sterling City Clerk’s office.

More such programs can be created to resolve the issue of homelessness, and that will take the help of many organizations and each of the levels of government – municipal, township and county – in the Sauk Valley.

One organization that could take the lead in this effort is the Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership.

Forming a collaborative network that includes the Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership, PADS, mental health care, social services, and municipal, township, and county governments could make great strides in resolving the issue of homelessness in the Twin Cities.

When working together, this network could determine what will be done, how it will be done and how it will be funded. And relying on funding from the state is not a given option. Funding must come from local levels of government, and it must be consistent to stay on top of this issue for the next several years.

The issue of homelessness transcends communities, social services, organizations, agencies and all levels of government. We must work together to resolve the problem without worrying about how to protect missions, boundaries or turf.

By remembering that ‘tis the season for caring and giving is not just meant for the Christmas season but all year round, we can get this done.

Jim Wise is a Sterling city councilman.