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Homeless Conference Set For June 26

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: June 9, 2008

Updated: 06/09/2008 03:38 pm

PORT RICHEY With reports of the number of homeless people in Pasco County doubling in the past year, local leaders hope to develop a 10-year plan to combat the growing problem.

The county then could qualify for federal and state grants worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A conference on the homeless plan has been scheduled for 2 - 4 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the United Way of Pasco County, 8040 Washington St.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, sent out letters today inviting community leaders to the June 26 session. One letter was addressed to Dewey Mitchell, the co-owner of Trinity-based Prudential Tropical Realty.

"According to this year's count," Fasano's letter begins, "the Coalition for the Homeless for Pasco has documented that the number of homeless in Pasco has roughly doubled since last year."

Homelessness impacts businesses, hospitals, schools, law enforcement and other local organizations, Fasano argues. Without a plan, Pasco is missing out on $850,000 in federal grants to combat homelessness and $150,000 from the state, the senator said.

Local leaders are scheduled to hear Michael German, national team leader for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness," at the June 26 inaugural meeting.

Fasano expects it will take a year for Pasco leaders to write a 10-year plan.
Call Fasano's office at 727-848-5885 for more information.

Attending

Here, according to state Sen. Mike Fasano's office, is the list of people who will take part in the June 26 homeless conference:

• Dewey Mitchell, Prudential Tropical Realty

• Chip Jones, Pasco Building Association

• George Romagnoli, director, Pasco Community Development

• Commissioner Pat Mulieri

• Joe Alpine, president, West Pasco Chamber of Commerce

• Sheriff Bob White

• School Superintendent Heather Fiorentino

• Dr. David Johnson, director, Pasco Health Department

• Tom Smith, Workforce Housing

• Shawn Foster, aide to U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis

• Susan Arnett, United Way of Pasco

• State Rep. Will Weatherford

• San Antonio Mayor Roy Pierce

• Dade City Mayor William Poe

• Port Richey City Manager Richard Reade

• Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina

• New Port Richey City Manager Thomas O'Neill

• Katherine Johnson, president, Pasco-Hernando Community College

• The Rev. Greg Johnson, Generations Christian Church

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