Friday, June 12, marks the start of the “Lost My Home Fund” fundraiser to raise funds for Catholic Charities of Acadiana, which will assist families in Lafayette Parish who have experienced housing loss or insecurity because of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.
“Lafayette Parish has seen an alarming increase in family homelessness and a fast decrease in shelter capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic started,” according to a press release from fundraising partner, Social Entertainment.
Social Entertainment said it is urgently calling on the community to help bring immediate relief to families experiencing housing instability. The fundraising goal is to raise $50,000.
“Catholic Charities of Acadiana said that financial support from the federal and state level is critical to preventing an unprecedented homeless crisis in Lafayette Parish. However, with the support of our local community, every dollar donated can make a difference for a family in need today.”
Unsheltered homelessness has been rising since 2016, increasing by 22 percent in the last five years, according to data from endhomelessness.org. 10.9 million households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing, leaving them income and housing burdened. Lafayette Parish has had a 58 percent rise in homelessness since the pandemic began, with 450 new individuals reportedly experiencing homelessness. Many have lost jobs and are without housing for the first time in their lives.
“A recent report reflects a shocking increase of 193 percent in family homelessness in two months. Emergency shelter capacity in Lafayette Parish has decreased by 69 percent due to the recent closure of the Salvation Army shelter, and other shelters forced to decrease capacity because of social distancing protocols,” according to the release.
“As eviction and utility disconnection moratoriums end in the coming weeks, it is projected that homelessness will continue to escalate at an alarming rate through the end of the year. With 80,000 unemployment claims filed and 5,000 LUS utility customers more than 60 days in arrears, hundreds of households are facing eviction in the coming months.”
“‘Lost My Home Fund’ is Social Entertainment’s third fundraiser since the pandemic started. Nearly $100,000 was raised through the previous fundraisers “Lost My Gig Fund” and “Lost My Tips Fund,” to help local musicians and service industry workers financially affected by COVID-19.”
“This crisis affects everyone’s lives and touches our hearts”, said Gus Rezende, owner of Social Entertainment.
The ‘Lost My Home Fund’ is a Social Entertainment initiative, working in partnership with Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, Upper Lafayette Economic Development, Better Boot Productions and DJ Digital.
The fundraiser is supported by community partners: Tony Chachere’s, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Reve Coffee Roasters, Lafayette Roofing and General Contractors, Nunu’s Fresh market, Home Bank, Coca – Cola Lafayette, Bradley Moreau, David Stapp – Louisiana Mortgage Associates, Blake Johnson II – State Farm, Politics, Courtesy Buick GMC, Milestone Mortgage, IDI Workspaces, Nations Lending – Gabe Andrade, Farm Bureau – Zachary Bush, Lafayette Travel, Gulf Coast Bank.
For more information and to donate visit Facebook.com/socialentertainment.la
or visit catholiccharitiesacadiana.org