TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Which Homeless?

ADVERTISEMENT

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: June 18, 2008

Next week, a group of Pasco government, business and nonprofit leaders are slated to meet, at the invitation of state Sen. Mike Fasano. The New Port Richey Republican wants to talk about the homeless problem in the county. According to Fasano, the county could get its hands on $1 million in grant money - $850,000 from the federal government and $150,000 from that state - if it had a plan for combating homelessness.

Tackling the homelessness problem, however, usually proves easier said than done. That's because not everyone who is homeless is in that unfortunate state because of personal economic woes. Some people can't hold on to a home, or don't want one in the first place, because they suffer from chronic mental health and substance abuse problems. Solving this part of the homeless problem has, for decades, resisted even the most nobly intended and well-funded programs.

A count conducted at the beginning of the year found 4,074 homeless people in Pasco, or less than 1 percent of the county's population. That total included 1,425 children.

Still, the homeless plan that emerges from the June 26 meeting should differentiate the portion of the homelessness problem in Pasco that can be tackled with housing-assistance programs from the portion that can't. Any money that arrives from Washington, D.C., or Tallahassee should primarily go to people in the first category.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT