 |
|
|
|
|
SCS continues dedicated service to city's needy
Organization gave out $450,000 in 2000-'01
By Karen Kabiling
Sunnyvale Community Services has developed a new slogan--"Our business is booming, but that's not good."
In a competitive market like the Bay Area, one might not expect to hear such a motto, but then again, the nonprofit emergency assistance organization wants less business, not more.
Yet the cost of living has continued to rise year after year, turning more and more Sunnyvale residents to emergency assistance programs like SCS to help them get back on track.
Though many may not realize it, reports from the organization show that there are people in need in Sunnyvale, and it has skyrocketed in the fiscal year just ended, said Nancy Tivol, the executive director of SCS.
The organization distributed a record $302,000 in 1999-2000, which was typical considering the yearly increase varies between $25,000 to $40,000. The increase in families participating in the program, however, has caused a significant rise in financial aid.
In the 2000-'01 fiscal year, the emergency assistance program distributed more than $450,000, approximately a 50 percent increase of more than $150,000 in one year.
SCS provides emergency financial aid to low-income families facing temporary crisis so that they can remain in their homes, keep their utilities connected, have enough to eat, and secure needed medical attention and other critical services, Tivol said.
"Emergency assistance is the most cost-effective way to prevent homelessness and hunger, both in terms of dollars and human lives," she said. "For without it, families face more complicated problems requiring more expensive solutions."
Tivol said there are three reasons for the recent dramatic increase--increased housing prices, contingent jobs and traffic.
Housing prices have soared far beyond wage hikes for low-income workers--the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale is $1,285 per month.
"While that might be the average, try finding one currently available at that rate," Tivol said. "Someone working full-time all year for minimum wage grosses $13,000 a year or $1,083 a month. Obviously, one job isn't enough to cover rent, and the problems are compounded if you want to eat, go anywhere by any means of transportation, do laundry or handle any other basic household needs."
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39 percent of jobs in Santa Clara County pay less than $30,000 a year.
Moreover, Tivol said there are families that have turned to the organization whose rent has jumped from $250 to $900 per month.
She said this makes matters even worse because most of these families have multiple jobs--usually two for the father, one for the mother and a part-time job for teenagers.
And seniors living on fixed incomes have been hit hard by rent increases, as well.
Tivol said they have very few options. More are working part-time at various low-wage jobs, and others are seeking shared housing.
Tivol also cites the county's large number of contingent employees (part-time, temporary and self-employed workers) as another reason for the increase.
Contingent workers make up 25 percent of the work force nationwide, 40 percent in Santa Clara County and do not receive any benefits or paid sick leave, Tivol said.
Lastly, traffic in Santa Clara County is congested both on freeways and major roads.
Whether a person chooses to commute or live in a cheaper rental area, either way will cost them, said Nancy Wu, director of emergency assistance programs for the organization.
"If low-income families move to areas with lower rents, they simply face more hours and higher costs of transportation, car repairs and child care," Wu said of families moving to areas with lower rents. "Moving itself is a financial burden to low-income families and seniors."
Initial costs of moving, including deposit and first and last months rent, add up in the long run, Wu said.
SCS has been serving the community for 30 years through the help of volunteers, corporations and government groups.
Tivol noted that the organization's services do not replace welfare, but provide emergency assistance and food programs to families with temporary setbacks who cannot meet their financial obligations every month.
"We want to make sure everybody gets a lot of the same choices," Tivol said, However, she questioned the organization's ability to continue to provide financial assistance for every client in the future.
"Given sharp increases in rent and utility bills and the economic downtown, continuing to meet this goal will be a formidable challenge," she added.
Sunnyvale Community Services is at 810 W. McKinley, near Pastoria. For more information on how to make donations or volunteer services, call, 408.738.4321.
|
|
|
|
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
