Mayor plans walk to help homeless

Imagine a problem that affects 4,000 citizens of Bloomington each year. Imagine that 30% of those affected are children. \nThis problem, that has threatened 300,000 Indiana residents at some point in their lives, is neither a disease nor a crime. Instead, it is a problem of low-income and unaffordable housing. Homelessness has grown to be a crisis that can no longer be ignored in Bloomington.\nMayor Fernandez is asking the residents of Bloomington to walk to end homelessness. At a breakfast with executives from various local businesses, Fernandez called for support of Homeward Bound-South Central Indiana: Indiana's 5k Walk to Fight Homelessness.\n"For ourselves, our children and our future, we have to minimize the problem of homelessness that is far too prevalent in our community. To do that, we must raise awareness that this is not someone else's problem. It's our problem," Fernandez said.\nWalkers have until race day, Sunday, March 30, 2003 to collect donations for the race. Incentives for raising donations for the race are given to those who raise $100 or more. While $100 will earn an official race T-shirt, $1000 or more will earn a $100 retail gift certificate, an official race pin and entrance to the VIP tent on race day. Similar homeless walks are being held in six different regions throughout Indiana. The total donations received so far amounts to $360. \nHomeward Bound-South Central Indiana is a project that is supported by Fernandez, as well as local homeless and affordable housing service providers. At the breakfast, business leaders became more aware of their responsibilities toward homelessness. Tim Henke and Steve Bodi of Renaissance Rentals agree that the corporate leaders of Bloomington should lead by example and take action against the growing problem. \nWhat exactly has caused the increase in homelessness is a question that remains unanswered. Jon Slaughter, the market president of Irwin Union Bank, said homelessness is not a choice but a lack of resources to remain independent. \n"People often become homeless because they have extremely low incomes and cannot find housing they can afford," he said. "Frequently, these problems are further complicated by other challenges, such as mental illness, substance abuse, limited education or work history, or lack of family support."\nUnder Mayor Fernandez's "Rebuild Bloomington" project, the department for housing and neighborhood development is working to alleviate the problem. The committees within the department are designed to provide help to people who earn low to moderate incomes, to prevent and eliminate slums and to meet other urgent community development needs. Of all the grants that are given, 70 percent of the funds must be used to benefit people who have low to moderate incomes.\nFernandez's support of the Homeward Bound walk is an attempt to increase awareness, raise money for those who need it and reduce the number of people who are homeless in Bloomington.\nFor more information about the walk and how you, your business, church or other community organization can participate, visit the walk Web site at www.homelesswalks.org or contact Homeward Bound -- South Central Indiana at (812) 349-3462.