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Hernando Today

Volunteers To Count Hernando's Homeless

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: January 23, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando's homeless are out there.

To count them, however, takes real work. So volunteers will fan out to all parts of the county this Saturday to get at least a rough estimate of those living in the woods, behind shopping centers or in their cars.

It's an important endeavor to make sure the county gets enough federal funding to address the need here through support and prevention programs and grants, said Francine Ward, who has volunteered for the count for the last 15 or so years.

"You justify those needs by the people who don't have housing," Ward said.

The local count is part of a wider effort by the Mid-Florida Homeless Coalition, comprised of Hernando, Citrus, Lake and Sumter counties. The coalition aims to secure resources to meet the needs of the homeless population in the region.

The federal government, which doles out funds to help the homeless and prevent at-risk people from becoming homeless, requires that counties conduct the count every two years. But partners in the Mid-Florida Coalition are working to do it every year, said Barbara Wheeler, the group's executive director.

"Our partners have said we need to do this yearly so we have good information in order to educate the public," she said.

Last year's census counted 196 homeless people in Hernando and 131 people who are "at risk" of being homeless, such as those staying with family members or friends. The number of homeless totaled just more than 1,100.

Statewide, there were 59,036 homeless residents on a given day, according to a report by the Florida Office on Homelessness, which uses data from homeless coalition's census counts.

But those figures are likely below actual numbers because of the inherent difficulty of finding people who in many cases don't want to be found, Wheeler said.

There also tends to be a shortage of volunteers for the count to provide adequate coverage of the county, said Rosemary Atkins, a Spring Hill resident and member of the Hernando County Housing Authority and the homeless collation who will take part in her second homeless count.

"We just don't have the manpower," she said.

Officials are expecting a higher number this year of homeless because of the recession and foreclosure crisis that have put many into desperate situations.

There should be enough volunteers to make a viable effort this year if those who have said they plan to show up actually do, Ward said. Would-be volunteers are welcome to call Ward today to find out about the two meeting places.

There are some well-known spots in the county that census takers know to visit. But the homeless tend to be nomadic, so volunteers also recruit scouts who are knowledgeable about other camp sites, Ward said.

The public is also encouraged to phone Ward with tips on areas where the homeless frequent.

"That would help a great deal," said Ward, who also will lead a group in the Brooksville area, said census takers are particularly lacking in information about sites in the eastern portion of the county.

Census takers will note basic information about race and gender. But they also hope to garner more information that could help identify trends, such as the reasons for a person's homelessness, education levels and substance abuse problems.

Counters will come bearing bags of toiletries and snacks provided by St. Vincent DePaul Church. It's a way to make life a little easier for the homeless but also to help serve as an ice breaker, Atkins said.

Surveyors travel in teams for safety and quickly retreat if they sense a potentially dangerous situation, she said.

Seeking out the homeless is only one part of the effort. Organizations that provide services to the homeless, such as Daystar and Mid-Florida Community Services, also are collecting data next week. The school system provides information about students and their families staying with friends or relatives.

The final data is helpful on a few different fronts, officials said.

The state's Office on Homelessness uses the numbers to dole out money for homeless and prevention programs to counties.

The data also is included in grant applications by homeless coalitions for federal dollars.

Other organizations seeking money for projects such as low-income housing also are welcome to use the figures, Wheeler said.

While the numbers vary, the counts always affirm what advocates try to convey to the public to try to battle an ever-present "stigma" that homeless people are mostly lazy and drug-addled, Wheeler said.

"Those who are homeless are a cross-section of the people," she said. "And once you become homeless, it's very difficult to get out of that hole."

Homeless count

For more on Saturday's homeless count, or to volunteer time or information, call Francine Ward, who will lead a survey team from Brooksville, at 796-1425. Rosemary Atkins will lead a team embarking from Spring Hill and can be reached at 686-5214. For more on the Mid-Florida Homeless Coalition, call Barbara Wheeler at 352-860-2308 or visit www.midfloridahomeless.org.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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