Survey shows need rising in area

YOUNGSTOWN -- Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown has reported that the working poor, the homeless and senior citizens have an increased need for assistance to pay for basic necessities such as food, housing and utilities.
Catholic Charities USA conducted a survey in November and gleaned information from more than 70 agencies from across the United States and in the Youngstown area. Key findings are:
U81 percent of agencies report an increase in need from the working poor.
U64 percent of agencies cited an increase in the number of families seeking help.
U52 percent of agencies are seeing more senior citizens in need.
U49 percent are seeing more homeless people seeking help.
Financial assistance tops the list of client needs along with rent and mortgage assistance and food. The need for temporary housing and prescription assistance also has increased this year.
Overall, nearly three out of four agencies said it will be more difficult to meet the needs of the people they serve this holiday season because the need is greater than ever. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown has seen an increase in the amount of assistance needed per household.
More than two of every three agencies nationally have already seen an increase in requests for assistance to pay utility bills because of higher natural gas or heating oil. Locally, Catholic Charities in Youngstown provided utility payment assistance to 3,223 individuals through the first three quarters of 2005. The agency anticipates a surge in need as the temperatures dip.
For more information on Catholic Charities, call (330) 744-8451.