- T70 -

PLEASE HELP US FUND OPPORTUNITY PLACE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES The Need Lack of affordable rental housing causes a higher cost of housing to an already stretched family budget The average rent for a 2 or 3bedroom apartment in Calloway County is 808 per month There is a shortage of affordable housing in Calloway County Section 8 incomebased housing The need is serving the lower wageearning families working poor they have lower paying jobs and may be a car repair appliance repair medical or a family emergency away from not paying rent or food today There is no space available in Calloway County to house Calloway County families recently displaced from their home There is a 6 month wait for existing transitional housing units in the County A Calloway County family today would be referred to shelters in Paducah or Paris TN Moving the family out of the area could cause a loss of income if there are jobs involved Moving children out of existing schools can have a negative impact on learning and psychological stability The Solution The United Way brand locally and United Way Kentucky is taking the lead for a Countywide fundraising campaign. The campaign will kick off with the Weaver Challenge for Charities on September 1st and ending November 30th . This will not be just a shelter it will be valueadded temporarytransitional housing where families can receive assessment training for job skills family budgeting life skill economic meal planning. 3 to 6 months stay no cost but the family would have to make monthly contributions to a savings account to help them transition to permanent housing The purpose is creating an environment to help break the cycle of dependence and return them to a home of their own The UWMCC will partner operationally with Hope Calloway Calloway County Economic Development KTAP Housing Coalition of Kentucky Calloway County 4H.