Rates of homelessness around the country have generally been on the decline. Nationally, homelessness has gone down about 9% since 2007. Here in Florida, though, a 2013 report from the State Department of Children and Families’ Council on Homelessness finds that between 2007 and 2012, homelessness statewide increased by an estimated 14.8%. Public officials and law enforcement agencies in the city and county of Sarasota have been working to tackle the difficult and politically complex problems associated with chronic homelessness.
A large-scale “come as you are” shelter was proposed, but so far, has not been built as county and city officials could not agree on a location. In recent months, emergency shelters for homeless families, along with other assistance programs, have opened up in North Port and Sarasota. Meanwhile, city officials have taken their own approach, adopting an 8-point plan which includes temporary and long-term housing, increased access to mental healthcare and the creation of a new position to lead the city’s homelessness outreach. We’ll get an update on efforts to address homelessness in Sarasota.
Guests:
Wayne Applebee, Sarasota County Director of Homelessness Services
Tom Barwin, Sarasota City Manager
Bill Spitler, Director of Research and planning for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
