Portland sees jump in demand for food, shelter

[ccharles000]

PORTLAND — Evicted for falling behind on the rent, Julie Anderson and her five children are now sharing a single room in the city's shelter for homeless families.

Anderson, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis recently and struggles to buy medicine, said her 3-year-old son often cries at night.

"He doesn't understand the shelter life," she said. "I tell him, 'It's a home we have to share with other people because Mom needs to find a new home.' "

Like many people who are in the city's shelters, Anderson is homeless for the first time. City officials say they are seeing increased demand for emergency services for people who have never before asked for help.

A recent survey showed that a third of the people seeking services at the Chestnut Street Emergency Family Shelter were homeless for the first time.

The shelter, which has capacity for 21 families, is nearly full every night. Before the recession, the shelter rarely approached capacity. The situation is similar in other shelters in Portland.

"The economy is clearly contributing to the number of people seeking emergency shelter services," said Douglas Gardner, director of the city's Health and Human Services Department.

Long lines are now common at the city's social services office on Lancaster Street, where people apply for general assistance. Officials have begun cutting off the line at 50 people each day, telling those who come after that to return the next day.

As of September, Portland was providing general assistance -- vouchers for basic needs such as rent, food, medication, fuel and utilities -- to 832 individuals and families, 40 percent more than a year earlier.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=298817&ac=PHnws

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. Jump in demand everywhere

[BR_Parkway]

2. But the gays can't get married, that's the most important thing - look

at how much the Catholic church put into making sure of that, meanwhile, other families are hurting as well

[jwirr]

3. Someone needs to work with Julie to get her on Social Security Disability

and Medicaid/Medicare. It takes time so she will most likely have a wait. It isn't the answer for all but she has been diagnosed with MS and has children which means there is some program out there that should help her.

[Quantess]

4. Unemployment is horrible in the Portland area.

Wages are low, too.