Imagine waking up every day just wondering if you can make enough today to keep a roof over your head or put food on the table, or hoping you don’t get seriously ill or and that your car still works. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last fall, nearly half of Arkansans (43%) are housing insecure.
Now, with the COVID-19 outbreak and loss of jobs, can you fathom what that percentage is? For the last 15 years through the work of the free Christian healthcare clinic and housing project I co-founded with my physician husband, ECHO and ECHO Village located in Eureka Springs, I have had direct contact with the working poor. Recently, the increase in housing need has just exploded. There are not enough places of reasonable rent for folks. Our community is hurting. People making minimum wage are at a loss as to how to get through this.
ECHO has been housing people, but our spaces are limited. I have asked the state that $250,000 in emergency funding be made available to build a group shelter. But that shelter is going to take a while to be up and running.
ECHO is partnering with HARK, a nonprofit organization that connects people to medical and social services, Northwest Arkansas Continuum of Care, Northwest Regional Housing Authority, and local food banks to assist those in need. My Methodist church is partnering with local restaurants and the local grocery store to provide food to hungry families. My staff and I are working with People Helping People, a volunteer organization in Carroll County that provides prescriptions to people who have difficulty affording the medicine they need. I am also working with area mayors to find shelter for the homeless so we can be ready when the need for shelter explodes, as I expect will happen as we continue to experience the COVID-19 crisis.
EVERYONE can make a difference, and everyone needs to help now. You can donate food to your area food bank, pay for lodging for a family, and donate or share any space you might have. We are living through an unprecedented time, but already so many of you—my friends and neighbors—are making me proud. Let’s show our state what real leadership looks like.
I am running to represent House District 97 because I want to be able to better address the needs of the people of this district for housing, healthcare, and food. I am running as a Democrat because I believe we are the party of social justice, and we Democrats jump into gear when people need help. We will not stop helping people nor will we rest.
Suzie Bell and her husband founded ECHO and Echo Village in Eureka Springs. She is a candidate for Arkansas State House District 97.