A recent article by the Manhattan Institute in the Business Insider explained the dire state of middle class families today. The article explained that male workers in the United States now need more than a year’s salary to support a family of four. In 1985, if the family’s expenditures amounted to $13,227 annually, that equaled the value of what the wage-earner earned in thirty weeks. In 2018, that same-sized family’s expenditures cost $54,441, which was the value of the bread-winner’s salary after fifty-three weeks on the job! Certainly, everyone has noticed this higher cost of living today.
Most of the time, I write about people who need the safe haven and help they can benefit from at the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter here in Peterborough. Yet once in a while, it seems appropriate to share facts about the economic needs of people in general. For example, as reported on social media recently, the city officials of Abilene, Texas, have created housing for all American Veterans living in their city. This is a meaningful answer for one segment of the underserved people in our country who often experience homelessness. Isn’t that wonderful?!
There is not enough housing anywhere in the United States for households in need. Yet, even building new and affordable housing is not the total answer to the problems of homelessness. Towns and cities need to explore many different avenues to assist those who need lower rents. In many cases, refurbishing and maintaining existing buildings and houses would cost a third of what building new facilities, making that a more desirable plan. And at the same time, this would maximize those units that already exist, which is also desirable.
Several years ago, writings by people in the Manchester area who were homeless were complied in a booklet called “Under the Bridge”, created by The Way Home, a shelter, and Notre Dame College, both of the city. To understand how these people feel and hope for change in their lives, here is one example.
Sidewalks, sidewalks so straight and cruel
Within myself, I commence to duel.
A wallet full of money I do not have,
Even a kind word is better than salve.
Keep me walking, Lord,
Even with hunger as sharp as a sword.
The guiding light of the early dawn
Keeps me hoping maybe today or hours soon,
The food I taste will be from my own spoon.
A reliable car; gas and gift cards from local businesses for our guests to use for items that cannot be bought with food stamps. To donate, please call the MATS office at 924-5033 and leave a message for Susan Howard, Program Manager. Thank you! We hope you will visit our web site at www.matsnh.org.
Hope Pettegrew is a longtime MATS volunteer.