Director's Message
by Evan L. Deadmond, MCHA
It is basic human nature not to fully appreciate things ... until they are gone. Take away any of the modern conveniences we enjoy - cars, telephones, computers and the other gadgetry that surrounds us - and we quickly slide into a panic. But some of our neighbors in Marion County are faced with more than the lack of convenience; for some, filling even the basic human need for suitable housing is a challenge. If experiencing a computer crash brings on deep anxiety, imagine what it would be like if we suddenly found ourselves without a decent place to live.
Since 1948 our nonprofit organization, the Marion County Housing Authority, has taken great pride in helping our neighbors to secure adequate places to live. Working to insure that the poor, the elderly and the infirm have roofs over their heads is more than just our duty as Americans; it is the right thing to do. Marion County Housing Authority does not provide housing through Entitlement Programs. The residents must meet certain standards and pay rent to the housing authority. The housing authority functions as a business in the rental concept of affordable housing.
MCHA has established a respectable track record in helping solve these problems locally. Our Public Housing and Section Voucher programs have provided decent homes for many over the years. However, we still have a long way to go. With a median income in marion County of $35,000 and with an elderly population of 17%, we expect housing for the poor, the very poor and the elderly to become scarcer. We at MCHA clearly have our work cut out for us.
At the same time, a home is more than four walls and a roof. MCHA is not in the business of simply warehousing human beings; our goal is to make sure that those who live in subsidized or public housing enjoy the same quality of life and sense of security that the rest of us enjoy. We've made strides in this area as well, with the creation of a Centralia Police Department Substation and the construction of a Youth Activity Center, in our main housing area. Our philosophy is that being poor or aged doesn't mean one should be vulnerable to crime or otherwise live in a bad environment. But again, while we have made deep inroads into these quality-of-life areas, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Further work is still needed.
Perhaps the greatest reason for our success is the grassroots support we've consistently received from the communities we serve. Never let it be said that citizens in marion County lack compassion for their neighbors! Of course, these noble qualities are reflected in the local, state and federal leaders who represent our communities and who have always expressed a willingness to roll up their sleeves and work alongside us.
Poverty and the aging of America - two issues which often overlap - are serious problems which affect the community as a whole. Such challenges demand our talents and resources, not just for the sake of the poor and aged, but for all of us. However, these problems are not insurmountable and with the continued support of the public, MCHA can - and will - provide solutions to them.
