February 20, 2022

Photo Credit Gabriel C. Perez/KUT

We knew it was coming, but it was still a surprise… There's new desperation from our neighbors in need as we receive their calls. With the end of the eviction moratorium, they face the very real threat of housing insecurity if they fall behind on their rent bills. Rents have skyrocketed to an embarrassing rate in this city, and with the extra fees that are tacked on for various reasons, including $10 per day late fees, it’s not difficult to get behind by $3000 in as little as five or six weeks! 

The narrative we hear most often now is that our neighbors or close family have contracted the Omicron variant of COVID. They're forced to miss two or more weeks of work due to the illness. Those who are living “hand to mouth” cannot afford to have even the tiniest obstacle in their lives. The loss of work spirals into a tailspin and, the next thing you know, they find an eviction notice on the front door. 

Thanks to YOUR generosity, we were been able to assist neighbors with over $15,000 in Rent alone In January. We also disbursed Plus 1 assistance in collaboration with Austin Energy as well as HEB cards and SVdP store vouchers. Our dispatchers who respond to 10-12 calls each day, also many callers to their local SVdP Society. Thank you for helping us do this crucial work. 

Here's the math of how your gracious gifts, collaborations with other SVdP conferences, and our exisiting funds met the requests we received for help as of February 14th ~ 

  Funds Received & Disbursed 

* Copays are gifts from other parishes to meet needs greater than those we could cover independently. We partner with other parishes to work together when faced with needs that exceed our ability alone and vice versa.  
 
**Funds we had in the bank from your generosity before February 

Thank you
for bringing the Beatitudes
to life in our time & place.