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Bracing for these snowbirds

The homeless count is up and about to grow. Answers are limited.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 19, 2007

St. Petersburg 

Less than a year after dozens of homeless people set up a "tent city" downtown, city and county officials say they expect the homeless population to soar this winter.

An increase in the cost of living has contributed to a higher count of homeless people sleeping on the streets of St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County this summer, said officials, who predict that those numbers will rise as the winter months approach. Historically, homeless people living in the North flock to Tampa Bay for the warmer weather.

"It's an economical problem. Everybody is seeing more numbers," said Rhonda Abbott, director of social services for St. Petersburg. "We hope that we don't encounter what we did last year. We hope we are a little more prepared."

Countywide, the homeless population has steadily climbed in recent years. In 2007, 5,195 homeless adults and children were counted in Pinellas. In 2006, there were 4,950. In 2005, the count was 4,540.

During a recent head count in St. Petersburg, officials saw 108 people living in less than a 2-mile area downtown, compared with 89 people living in that area last summer.

For many nonprofits, the jump in the homeless population couldn't have come at a worse time. Recent property tax cuts have left local nonprofits scrambling to fill gaps in their budgets, and homeless advocates say they are unsure how they will provide additional beds.

"What this means in terms of social services is that obviously we are going to be coming back to the community and saying we need your help," said Janet McGuire, community relations coordinator for the Salvation Army in St. Petersburg. "There is a downside to that, because everyone else is strapped also."

McGuire said the Salvation Army's 72-bed shelter has been nearly at capacity all summer.

If the numbers continue to grow, the agency will consider turning its television room into another dormitory, she said.

Plans to create a countywide shelter were temporarily shelved in the wake of the tax reform. Instead, county officials have been working all summer to create an interfaith shelter program, which would provide local faith institutions with money in exchange for temporarily housing homeless people this winter. The program should be in effect by December, just in time to handle the expected influx of homeless people, said Sarah Snyder, executive director of the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless.

"All we can do is the best we can with the money that we've got and the resources we've got," she said.

Snyder said county officials will meet with ministers and other religious leaders in coming weeks to convince them to be part of the interfaith shelter proposal.

Homelessness in St. Petersburg received national attention last winter when police officers were ordered to slash the tents of dozens of homeless people because the structures were a fire hazard.

"No one wants a repeat of that," Snyder said of the tent city that homeless advocates created in January. "We will just do whatever we can to see if we can create a few emergency beds."

In recent months, downtown business owners have complained of homeless people sleeping and relieving themselves in the entrances of their properties.

"The thinking is it keeps people from coming downtown," said Barry Rothstein, president of the downtown business association. "Obviously if they come, they have to be somewhere if the county doesn't have something in place for these people. I know that a lot of businesses are disappointed that something hasn't been done more quickly to address the issue."

St. Petersburg City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett said city officials will try to provide a better solution this year if more homeless people flock to downtown.

"We have to make it manageable. We have to step up with the resources, whatever may come," said Bennett, adding that city officials are expected to announce a number of new shelter beds soon.

"It just appears that all across America, every city has this problem," he said. "Every city is trying to come up with an answer."

Fast facts

From haircuts to advice Saturday

In the face of the area's growing homeless population, city officials are hosting Project Homeless Connect, a service fair, Saturday in St. Petersburg. The fair is open to everyone, and all services will be free.

When:8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: The Coliseum at 535 Fourth Ave. N in St. Petersburg.

What to expect: Doctors and nurses will provide consultations. Representatives of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas housing authorities, the federal Housing and Urban Development department, the state Department of Children and Families and the Pinellas County Ex-Offender Re-Entry Coalition will also be present. Hairdressers, a nail technician, acupuncturists and massage therapists willoffer TLC. And members of the St. Petersburg Bicycling Club will give helmets for children and repair bicycles. A free lunch and breakfast will be provided.

For information on transportation to the event or on vendors scheduled to attend Project Homeless Connect, contact the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless at (727) 528-5763 or the city of St. Petersburg at (727) 551-3249.

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 22:48:00]