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Unmet Needs Report - 3rd Quarter 2005
On 211, we track calls when we’re unable to find a referral to meet the caller’s need. We also record trends that indicate gaps in the service system. We’re distributing this information to increase awareness about the kinds of gaps there are in our community services. Please contact us if you’re aware of a service that might fill a need.
Out of 7499 calls on 211 this quarter, there were 139 unmet needs calls (1.85% of total). As we have seen historically, the top two unmet needs were for transportation (19%) and housing (15%). People needing affordable housing or emergency shelter for families were the top housing needs. People needing help moving or transporting donated furniture was the number one transportation need. There were also calls from people with an illness or a disability needing transportation to appointments. It’s an unmet need for those who don’t qualify for DATS. Other issues that have come up for people as a result of lack of transportation have been the inability to access programs for families (even if the programs are affordable, they often aren’t able to get there) and seniors feeling the need to move into full care facilities because the lack of transportation is isolating them too much.
Other gaps in community needs that may not be reflected in the statistics have also come up over the quarter. I will outline a couple of those.
One group of people that we hear from that often seem to be falling through the cracks are adults with FAS. People feel that there is a lack of awareness and information as well as a lack of support or funding. Most often we hear about this through a spouse or parent or someone who is caring for the person with FAS. Often the person presents as functioning at a high level so are ineligible for funding and are expected to maintain a job. But what we hear is that their pattern of behaviour over time shows that they’re unable to keep a job long term and that they frequently end up involved in drugs, crime and the sex trade. There is a lot of stress on the caregivers, stress that is amplified when they are seniors caring for adult children.
A new demographic that we’re hearing more from is the “sandwich generation”; adults that are caring for children as well as aging parents. They are feeling stretched and are looking for more support. There are legal, financial, medical and emotional issues to deal with and some of the people that we’ve spoken to feel that there isn’t a lot of information out there to guide them. There are caregiver support programs available, but not a lot that deal specifically with this sandwich issue. This problem will continue to grow as the population ages.
Nancy Douglas 211 Supervisor 2-1-1 is the Edmonton phone number to get information about, and referrals to, human services in the Edmonton area. Outside of Edmonton, callers can dial 482-INFO(4636). |
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Introducing: Las Americas Housing Co-operative Ltd. Tired of renting? Las Americas offers you an alternative!
We are a non-profit, Spanish-English speaking housing co-operative located in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton. We are close to schools, parks, bus routes, hospital, recreation, community halls and shopping centres. Our 36 townhouses are co-managed by AIM Real Estate Corp. and Las Americas Housing Co-operative Ltd. Co-operative housing is an exciting and unique way of meeting your housing needs. People join co-ops because they want housing that: Is Decent & Affordable . Is Safe & Secure . Has Friendly Neighbours . Is Healthy for kids & Families.
How do I apply to live at Las Americas? Follow these 3 easy steps: 1. Attend an information meeting: Monthly meetings on Co-op Housing are held at NACHA (The Northern Alberta Co-operative Housing Association) - www.nacha.ca - At this meeting you will receive a general overview about co-op housing living. This will help you to decide if you want to live in a co-op housing arrangement. Please call NACHA at 482-6128 or visit their website for dates & times. 2. Application Form: You fill in a detailed application form available at the information meeting and mail it to us for processing and 3. Interview/Follow Up: Our Community Worker follows up with a call/interview. This interview gives you an opportunity to learn more about the co-op and for the co-op to find out more about you. 3. About MemberShares: Is there a cost to join? Yes. If the Board approves your application, following a credit & personal/work references check, then you will pay a one-time member-share of $1.000. After an initial payment of $500, you can pay the rest over 12 months, or less. If you decide to move out, the co-op repurchases your member-shares. Las Americas Housing Co-operative > Affordable: Co-ops charge their members, costs. Housing charges rise only with increases in operating costs - there's no profit . Have A Say: Through a partnership with AIM Real Estate Corp., Las Americas Housing Co-op Ltd. ensures that your voice as a resident member is heard in the decisions affecting your housing needs . A Healthy Community: Co-op housing provides an excellent & friendly opportunity for people to share and assist each other in ways beyond their housing needs. Want to know more about Las Americas Housing Co-op? Please call: 474-6058 (or) e-mail: leocamposa@aol.com |
