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Finding the forgotten

A county census of the homeless will gauge the magnitude of a societal problem that has gained new attention.

By CURTIS KRUEGER
Published January 28, 2007

The heels of controversy about St. Petersburg's "tent cities" and the slaying of two homeless men this month, volunteers are preparing to spread throughout Pinellas County on Monday to count and survey local homeless people.

Activists say these recent events - especially the killings - have created fear and wariness in the homeless community.

Nonetheless, organizers said they expect to have no major problems with the survey. In fact, Sarah Snyder, executive director of the Pinellas Coalition for the Homeless, said the recent news has actually prompted some people to volunteer to help with the count for the first time.

"We've got between 175 and 200 volunteers. We've got people from churches; we've got people who've just seen stories in the paper," Snyder said.

People who work with the coalition have established a good rapport with residents of the newest tent city, she said, and she doesn't expect anyone to shy away from talking to people for the census.

The annual census helps local agencies learn more about trends among homeless people and how best to help them. Volunteers and social service workers travel to shelters, soup kitchens and hidden camps to count those who have no place to live.

They also give a short survey, asking questions like: Where did you live last? How long have you been on the street? Is there a place you could stay tomorrow?

Last year, the group counted 4,710 homeless people countywide, but that was clearly a low estimate, Snyder said, because the count came on the same day as a deluge of rain.

The survey will proceed largely as it has in previous years: Volunteers will travel in groups of at least two as they seek out homeless people.

They also will visit the tent city that has sprung up at 15th Street and Fifth Avenue N.

In Pinellas Park, the Rev. Lionel Cabral of the Haven of Rest Rescue Mission will begin the first day of a new program to provide food to homeless day laborers. Cabral will help conduct the count while delivering the food.

Pinellas Park police also will help with the count, some on horseback. The city, which has the only mounted patrol in Pinellas, is using horses to carry police and volunteers across the uneven ground along the railroad track that cuts through the city. The staff of the Salvation Army shelter at 310 14th Ave. S in St. Petersburg will survey people who come to the nightly dinner from 4:30 to 6, said program manager Jonathan Miller. But he said they will ask questions carefully.

Workers typically start out by saying, "We're trying to get a count of what we need to help our community," he said.

He said they never ask, "Are you homeless?" because that puts people on the spot and makes them say something embarrassing about themselves. Instead, they ask, "Did you have someplace to stay last night?"

He said the staff will respect people who don't want to answer questions. Some people simply don't want to participate.

Homeless people and activists were shocked recently when the city slashed the tents of homeless people living on a public right of way, an episode that can still be viewed on the Internet on Youtube.com. The shootings have likewise sent a chill.

But Miller said it's important to continue with the surveys, which establish how much need the community has.

"It really, really does help."

Times staff writer Anne Lindberg contributed to this report.

4,710

people are homeless in Pinellas on any given day

870

of those are children

1,177

of those are veterans

12

Percentage of the homeless that are families

61

Percentage of those families who had been working the last month

Source: 2006 Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless survey

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 21:43:34]