By Mike Hazlip–
With a “wave of evictions” expected, annual fundraisers canceled and increasing demand for help due the COVID-19 pandemic, funds for the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) are running low.
HART Chairwoman Kathilynn Carpenter said the nonprofit organization has seen an increase in food insecurity that now extends beyond the homeless population normally served by HART. Other assistance programs are seeing a similar increase.
“Right now we are focused on homeless and at-risk students,” she said in an email to The Sentinel Wednesday. “We have provided back packs and school supplies and we are also working on a mobile clothing trailer for students and others.”
The increased need is compounded with COVID-19 restrictions that led to the cancellation of the organization’s annual Spaghetti Feed. The dinner is the main fundraiser for HART.
Additionally, donations are down due to a loss of donors discretionary income, Carpenter said. HART is also seeking funds to operate a planned “Respite Center” later this year, rather than the organization’s annual Winter Shelter.
Carpenter said HART is also preparing for a “wave of evictions” in the near future, as months of deferred rent payments come due.
“At some point the eviction bans will end and people will have back-rent and new rent to pay that they will not be able to pay,” she said. “We are focused on providing financial assistance for rent as many landlords are also hurting.”
The Judicial Council of California voted to end its moratorium on eviction filings effective midnight, Sept. 1, according to a California Courts news release August 13. Legislators are currently working to pass an extended ban on evictions, AB 1436, which would halt most evictions due to nonpayment of rent through April 2021 or 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted, whichever is earlier.
More information about the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team can be found at www.citrusheightshart.org.
