Social Services Strained By Pressure From Foreclosures

Posted on July 3, 2008
Filed Under Repo Homes |

The unprecedented number of repo homes has put pressure on social services causing great strain. Under the umbrella of social services come many organizations – pet shelter, financial advisers, food banks and the like. Each unit has a sad story to tell with every passing day.

Mike’s Dog House in Palatka, Florida is turning away about 10 house owners per week because of lack of rooms. In Cleveland recently 200 beds were added to the already bursting shelter for the homeless out of fear that foreclosures will ultimately put the families out on the streets. In Orlando Destiny Foundation is literally being besieged by those under pressure from foreclosure and economic troubles. Scott George of the foundation reports that they have seen people coming who have lost everything. They are confused and traumatized. The organization gives advice, food and runs a medical clinic free of cost apart from other related social works. They are flooded with work and are worried because it does not seem that the foreclosure weather is going to clear in the near future.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has reported that 6.4% of house owners are at least one payment lagging behind on their house loans in the first three months of 2008. Another 1% is already in foreclosure. The national economy is badly affected by the real estate market slump. Tax collection has been badly affected and this in turn is limiting funds being released by state, county and city governments for social services. The social service organizations have very limited independent funds. Despite constraints people like George are trying to figure out what best can be done to succour help to foreclosed victims.

Another Good Samaritan organization is online Petfinder.com with nearly 11,000 member shelter groups under its aegis. It recently conducted a study to measure the effect of foreclosures on pets and pet-owners. Of the 1,055 respondents, half had surrendered their pets because of foreclosures during the last six months.

Leslie Hunt has started off CompAnimals. A network of 10 adoptions shelters supports her. She gladly would have taken in all the animals that knocked at her door but her space and capabilities are limited. The unit can support 40 dogs and 40 cats at the most at a given point of time. Nearly 150 are adopted from her centre annually. The money mostly comes in from donations but a new adoption centre has increased her expenses. Her unit is sitting with a waiting list of six months.