Page 2-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-City-Thursday, September 9,1993 Situation remains poor for Ann Arbor's homeless Population is increasing as Ann Arbor's liberal reputation attracts hoards ofijobless citizens by Barb McKelvey Daily Staff Reporter Paul Lambert spoke slowly but ea- gely. He is short and overweight, with little hair and an almost-beard that peg him as a shopping-mall Santa. Lambert carried an overstuffed bag filled with thermoses,recyclableCoca-Colabottles and a few books. "I was one of the lucky ones," he said. Three years ago, Lambert lived in a dangerous section of Detroit. He was often awakenedto fire alarms announc- ing that his neighbor's house was burn- ing' in Lambert's neighborhood, ar- son was a past time. 1Iwasliving withan alcoholic and I justgotsickofit-she was beating me up and taking my money," Lambert said. "So I called a friend up, and he offeredtobring me money and foodifI neededit.Instead,Iendedupmoving in with him in Ann Arbor." Paul is now active in the Homeless Action Committee, a group that helps theunfortunate through political means. He finally gothis own place in Janu- ary, after he obtained a Section Eight Voucher. This document allows him to pay one-third of his income for rent while the government makes up the difference. Lambert said the process of obtaining the certificate took a long time because there are few vouchers, and he was "dumped off' the waiting list several times. While Lambert now lives in the pleasant, government-funded Avalon Housing, many are not so fortunate. Depending on how "homelessness" is defined, there are between 250,000 and 3,000,000homelesspeople in the United States. In Ann Arbor, there are about 1,500 - a large homeless population fora town its size. The Huron Shelter's Paula Baldoni gave some reasons for the high number of homeless residents in the commu- nity. "Ann Arbor is the county seat. It is mately 25 people are on the staff, with volunteers from the University and city communities. There are 50 beds in the shelter, and a capacity to accomodate 80 people. Usually, 35 to 50 people-mostlymen - stay each night. The Ozone House aids homeless or displaced youth ages 12tol19 in emer- gency situations. Training and volun- teer coordinator Laura Brown said that many of the teenagers are"throwaways," who move from relative to relative. Some know they must be out of their parents' house by the time they are 18, so they leave earlier. While at Ozone, the younger chil- dren learn assertive communication,. while the older teens are taught inde- pendent living skills. The centeraids in family reconciliation if possible. When necessary, it refers teenagers and fami- lies to other agencies. Attempts at finding residences for Ann Arbor's homeless have also been made, with some success. Along with Avalon House, there is also the Division Street House for mentally ill homeless people. "I love living in Avalon Housing," Lambert said. "I can come and go as I please, and it's clean and quiet. There is privacy here, and that's important." While many organizations point out successes like Lambert's, most also concur that a more far-reaching solu- tion must be reached. Sergeant Jinkerson proposed a ser- vice plan, in which homeless would do service work that would make the town nicer and make them feel more valu- able. He also noted that spending alittle, now on homeless projects would save a lot later. It is clear to Apple that prevention in the formof low-rent housing and govem- ment housing as well as provisions for the ill and addicted would go a long way. "As long as there are homeless,", said Baladi, "it's never enough." S 0 Richy, a homeless man, tries to escape the February cold of Ann Arbor by lying on an exhaust vent next to the Dental School. EVANPETRIE/Daity seen as a kind of Mecca and is consid- ered to have jobs," Baldoni said. "A lot come here looking for employment and get stuck." Lambert cited the high quality of living here and pointed to the many facilities in the University town that are available to anyone. [[AC'sMike Klein said that Ann Arbor's reputation as a liberal, progressive city may also be a cause for the large homeless popula- tion. The mostagreed upon reason forthe large number of Ann Arbor homeless is the most simple - a lack of affordable housing. The studentpopulation, as well as the professional community, serve to drive up housing prices. Nationwide and locally, the number of homeless has been growing for the past 10 to 15 years, partially due to the mentally ill being deinstitutionalized. Largely because of this, the homeless cause a disproportionate number of inci- dents for their number. "I'd say we get about five, six, seven calls a day that concern them," Ann Arbor police Ser- geant Harry Jinkerson said. These are mostly due to trespassing, public drinking or loitering. "It's not illegal to be homeless," Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) representative Michael Apple said. Apple is part of the Housing Law Re- form Project, an MSA committee. "But many of the things you have to do when you are homeless are illegal...the total effect of laws make it illegal to act as a homeless person." In response to Ann Arbor's high demand, several organizations have been established to help. The Huron Shelter, set up in 1982, has both a day program and a night shelter. Approxi- MOON Live in the most beautiful women's residence BEFORE YOU REGISTER! HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT MARC? -an EXCITING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY undergraduate concentration in ftia1 a gb smg(ssatt $tuies - UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY * SUBJECTS OF YOUR CHOICE - VARIETY OF DEPARTMENTS * FLEXIBLE PROGRAM " FIELD TRIPS " INDEPENDENT STUDIES " STUDY ABROAD CfRG on campus. MARTHA COOK BUILDING Women's housing in a traditional atmosphere since 1915 Registered Historic Building *Three meals daily with menus prepared by our own Food Service Staff *Carpeted double rooms *A close-knit family atmosphere with only 150 residents " Live in a safe, protective, caring environment *A central campus location on South University near libraries and shopping "-Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Graduate Students--all live here *A diverse resident population with a wide range of ages and interests *A quiet setting supportive of your study efforts and academic success *$4903.98 for two semesters For information: Martha Cook Building 906 South University Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Phone: (313) 763-2083 0 BEFORE YOU REGISTER.. .come and see us at MARC %~k~t~a an~Z aissaugt olkeqium 3405-7 MLB - Telephone: 763-2066 I III Elm] [C I SAVE MONEY ON BOOKS"'! 50%-75% OFF New Book Prices 10%-50% OFF Stores' Used Book Prices 0 Study Abroad Fair Thursday, October 21, 1993. 4pm-6pm Michigan Union Ballroom Come learn about spending a year, semester, or summer abroad on a University of Michigan sponsored or affiliated program. Experienced rl