When you think of evictions, it may be easy to think solely of landlords and tenants as the ones who struggle. 

But that isn't necessarily the case. Places such as homeless shelters and food banks are also primed for a difficult winter should evictions spike. 

Mark Alexa, Executive Director at Community Shelter Services, worries that some individuals who are of low income status have difficulty managing their money, which can lead to economic penalties. 

"Sometimes, the money that is coming in is also the money going out", Alexa said. "The intent to pay rent is always there, but sometimes it doesn't happen". 

Community Shelter Services is currently full. Staff cannot accept anyone asking for a place to stay. 

That is, unless there is an opening, which Alexa says will normally fill in just a couple of hours. 

And shelters being at overcapacity could create a concern. With no place to put people who are evicted, it could mean more individuals on the streets, without any place to go. If someone is homeless for the first time, it could prove to be even more difficult. 

"Some of the first time homeless people, it's going to hit them hardest because they're not going to know where to turn", said Alexa. "Being in the system and working in the system for a long time, even sometimes I don't know where to send people". 

Alexa also says that from his experiences, landlords are less likely to want to rent out a property to someone coming out of a shelter, which would create a major disadvantage for even someone experiencing homelessness for the first time. 

Meanwhile, at food banks, a similar trend is emerging: more requests, with a fear there may not be enough. 

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania is continuing to see an abundant amount of food requests. Executive Director Karen Seggi says she has seen people who normally come to the food bank return more and more often throughout the pandemic. 

For people coming for the first time, including individuals who have been evicted, she says the experience can be humbling. 

"I cannot imagine what people must be going through", Seggi said. "To not have food or shelter is incredibly difficult, especially during a pandemic". 

Evictions are part of a continued economic crisis in the Erie area that Seggi says all plays a part in the numerous amount of food requests. 

To make matters worse, food bank leaders have been worried that this time of year could be the toughest economically yet. 

"I've been fearful of the month of September for a very long time", said Seggi. "We knew once the federal aid, unemployment, and eviction moratoriums wore off, there would be a big request for food. I think we could be in for a tough winter". 

This story was written in conjunction with the series of special reports, "Evictions: The Concern in Erie".

 

This series is being supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.