Community Action Inc. says Amesbury aid fund is empty
The Daily News
By Liz King
Staff Writer
AMESBURY — The number of homeless people forced to live in motel rooms, shelters and even in their cars is reaching levels so high that service agencies can't keep up.
For 25 years, Community Action Inc. has helped hundreds of local families with rent, mortgage and utility assistance. But the Amesbury center's homeless aid fund, which is made up of private donations from the community and corporations, has been emptied, said Elaine Miller, director of Community Services at the Haverhill-based CAI.
"Our Amesbury homeless aid fund has been depleted for the first time in about 10 years," Miller said. "It's difficult to keep up with demand, and we expect things will be the same in 2010 — we haven't seen change in the economy, and the forecast isn't looking bright."