The Beginning...
Acting on a proposal by Sister Barbara Hance, the
Federal Building on the corner of Main and Water Street was leased to Emmaus
(uh-may’-us) by the Housing and Urban Development Corp. under the Stewart B.
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Emmaus Center opened its doors to its
first residents on February 25, 1992. The building was built in 1935 and is in
need of on-going repairs and upgrades. The Emmaus Homeless Shelter works
constantly to keep the building up to code.
AN EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS
"Homelessness can be caused by a variety of problems.
The main cause is unaffordable housing for the poor. Secondary causes
include mental illness, physical illnesses, substance abuse,..."
Unaffordable housing is in part the result of gentrification of
neighborhoods. It is much harder to find cold water flats or housing by the
week than previously. Mental health issues come into play with the use of
medication instead of institutionalization. Patients who in the past would
have been in-patient are released with medication prescriptions.
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