Tampa homelessness

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

The location you refer to is where free food and goods are being given to homeless so they are in that area all the time. And it's getting worse during certain time of the week and the day too.

It's the same in other major Florida cities in places where free food and goods are given away. Saw it in Orlando, in Miami and in Jax.

This makes sense.

I guess the key difference, to me, is how visible it is here. I lived and worked in Downtown Orlando before, and the food bank was just West of Lake Eola, not sure of the exact building, but somewhere along here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.5429...7i16384!8i8192

Homeless were definitely present, but I think I can believe what Sinatras has been saying (can't believe I am typing this lol) in that Tampa just does not have any ordinance preventing tents from being set up all over town, whereas Orlando and Miami do.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

The location you refer to is where free food and goods are being given to homeless so they are in that area all the time. And it's getting worse during certain time of the week and the day too.

It's the same in other major Florida cities in places where free food and goods are given away. Saw it in Orlando, in Miami and in Jax.

One of the local churches downtown gives out lunch several times a week, and there used to be a distribution of food and gift cards in Gaslight Park that's no longer done there, I believe.

RM

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

This makes sense.

I guess the key difference, to me, is how visible it is here. I lived and worked in Downtown Orlando before, and the food bank was just West of Lake Eola, not sure of the exact building, but somewhere along here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.5429...7i16384!8i8192

Homeless were definitely present, but I think I can believe what Sinatras has been saying (can't believe I am typing this lol) in that Tampa just does not have any ordinance preventing tents from being set up all over town, whereas Orlando and Miami do.

Ordinance or not, it’s really bad press when they’re enforced. I remember the cops went in with box cutters and tore down the tent city in St. Pete some years ago and it made national news.

Originally Posted by MortonR

One of the local churches downtown gives out lunch several times a week, and there used to be a distribution of food and gift cards in Gaslight Park that's no longer done there, I believe.

RM

I’m guessing that’s Metropolitan Ministries. I’ve heard they do a lot for the homeless.

[AngelaRetired]

Any opinions?

What to do if you are homeless in Florida?

Search for Services

Prevention and Referral Services - Local Homeless Contacts.

Continuum of Care contacts.

Help hotlines.

Domestic violence assistance - (800) 500-1119.

Shelter. Homeless services locator. Homeless Services Network of Central Florida Shelter Directory.

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Homeless Information: Florida | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

https://www.hud.gov/states/florida/homeless

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

Ordinance or not, it’s really bad press when they’re enforced. I remember the cops went in with box cutters and tore down the tent city in St. Pete some years ago and it made national news.

I’m guessing that’s Metropolitan Ministries. I’ve heard they do a lot for the homeless.

Possibly. I used to see it with some regularity when I worked downtown.

What's really pretty awful is the City's supposed "refurbishing" of the seating/benches in Gaslight Park a few years ago. They had just put new benches throughout the park, which were frequently in use by homeless people, mainly because of the proximity to the police department. The park was a safe place because there were TPD officers coming and going at all hours.

A few months after the benches were installed they were removed under the pretense that they needed to be "refurbished". They were never replaced, and now there's little to no seating in the park.

I used the park during lunch hour and on breaks, and while there were often homeless people around, they rarely bothered anyone.

RM

[Daryl_G]

Tampa has a unique problem, most of the money for services are funneled through the county and not the city and both disagree as to what services should be available and how to deal with homeless or those near poverty.

For instance Hillsborough County is one of the largest population counties that does not offer any public heath clinics outside of HIV and infectious disease required to be offered by the state. Those with mental health issues, healthcare issues, dental issues, problem affording medications have to seek out private assistance which is tuff in a county of over a Million people. The city has begged the county to change this policy as St. Pete, Orlando, and Miami offer these services to prevent homelessness pr bankruptcy due too medical bills or mental health issues.

That is just one example of many that the City and County butt heads on. It is a constant battle between the two groups, the county is much more conservative in the measures it is willing to take on and does not seem to believe the issues within Tampa City Limits are relevant to their County agendas. So nothing really gets done to address homelessness, poverty, or access to help for those with mental health which adds to the homelessness problem.

It is a weird and strained relationship.

[EngGirl]

Originally Posted by MortonR

One of the local churches downtown gives out lunch several times a week, and there used to be a distribution of food and gift cards in Gaslight Park that's no longer done there, I believe.

RM

No food giveaway at Gaslight Park but you can still homeless sleeping there daily.