By Lori Raab
Prineville, Ore. – Despite an improving economy, the head of a homeless shelter in Prineville says they are seeing a huge demand for emergency housing.
Part of the demand is fueled by people who can’t find an affordable place to rent in Prineville. And, another group is those dealing with domestic violence.
“The biggest change I’ve seen over the last year or so is the increase in domestic violence issues. If we could help solve that problem in our community that would definitely help. to be able to provide better for people in our community.”
Redemption House Executive Director Greg Sanders says besides domestic violence he’s seeing other marriages struggle, mostly because of tough economic times that have been lingering on for years for many families.
Sanders says the improving economy isn’t happening everywhere in Oregon. Many rural areas continue to struggle and this impacts local families.
“Lori: are you getting a sense of why this is happening? I think there’s a lot of people who are in situations where they are getting depressed or overrun. I think there’s some brokenness in our system as to how we handle domestic violence.”
He says the community can help The Redemption House. They need volunteers, clothing and fresh food, and cash. The Redemption House has a total of 26 beds, but Sanders says they could fill up many more.
“Lori: do you think the economy is playing into this as well it’s been so many years..? absolutely. I think one of the largest factors in not only domestic violence but also marital hardships is that when the finances are a struggle it causes a lot of issues to come up in a relationship.”
Beside the 26 bed homeless shelters, Sanders say they also run a lunch café program where homeless people can get a meal for 50 cents. And if they don’t have 50 cents they can do a few chores for the meal. Right now the Redemption House could use volunteers, cash, clothing and fresh foods.
