Dwight Flatt

Count every man, woman, and child living in communities like Camp Verde or Show Low, and their populations fall below the 13,553 people currently experiencing homelessness in Arizona. That same report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) put the number of homeless people nationwide at 582,462, or 18 out of every 10,000 people.

Sun Lakes Democratic Club (SLDC) members and guests attending the club’s Monday, June 12, membership meeting at the Sun Lakes Country Club will hear how communities and organizations are dealing with this growing problem, from Riann Balch, Senior Community Development and Resource Manager for the City of Chandler, and Leslie Lschokke, Individual Giving Manager, Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS).

While the City of Chandler is not experiencing the same issues as Downtown Phoenix, Ms. Balch will discuss what the city is doing to help those who can no longer afford housing. Ms. Lschokke will address seniors, one of the group’s hardest hit as housing costs rise. Lschokke will share the innovative ideas that CASS is using to keep the senior population housed and off the streets.

Rounding out the evening will be LD 13 Representative Jennifer Pawlik with an update, as the legislative session winds down, on what was achieved and how the budget discussions have set the path for the coming year in Arizona.

Club members and those interested in joining are also encouraged to attend the First Friday Coffee Socials, held the first Friday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Starbucks located at 2985 Alma School Road. Members can also attend Thirsty Thursday with LD 13, held the third Thursday of each month. Check ld13dems.org/calendar each month for the location.

SLDC is made up of like-minded individuals who are part of over 2,500 registered Democrats throughout the Sun Lakes area promoting an Arizona that works for everyone. We invite you to join us for the 6:30 p.m. Social, with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. on June 12, in the Navajo Room at the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25061 E. Sun Lakes Blvd N, in Sun Lakes.