Mindy TuckerThe Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County was the foundation behind the 2007 Homeless Census project that took place in Hillsborough County Jan. 25.
Teams of three gathered and spread themselves through the four districts in which the homeless venture during their daily routines.
“Throughout the day, three-person counting teams will be visiting places that homeless people go as part of their daily activities, including homeless encampments, shelters, meal locations, clothing programs and streets,” said Lesa Wiekel, community relations manager at the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.
For the 2005 Homeless Census Survey, 11,023 men, women and children were reported homeless in Hillsborough County – a 26 percent increase from 8,082 in 2003, according to the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County website. At that time there were 83,391 homeless people in the state of Florida, not including the ones who became homeless after the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.
The teams of three gave out hygiene packets and blankets in all four districts.
District one consists of the Downtown Tampa area, located closest in proximity to UT’s campus. The front stoop of John F. Germany Main Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., is a popular spot for the homeless.
“I came by bus with a friend and kinda got abandoned,” said Cindy Webb, 42. “She got into doing drugs and I’m not with all that. I don’t keep in touch with her anymore and don’t care to know where she is.”
Webb left her home and her two kids, ages 22 and 17, in Texas, and has been in the Tampa area for two months. Upon arrival, she went and applied through a work force and was hired by the TECO Power Plant. The plant provided transportation for Webb everyday for a month, until they started downsizing.
“I was at the Salvation Army, but now I’m on the streets. You have to pay $10 a day to live in their unclean environment with rats, roaches and terrible food,” said Webb.
The doors of the Salvation Army don’t open until 4 p.m. and those who stay there have to be out by 6 a.m., according to Webb.
Those who don’t return by 7 p.m. risk losing their bed to someone else.
“It’s hard being homeless in Tampa because you’re really on the streets. There aren’t many homeless shelters,” said Robert Shelby, 40, originally from Detroit.
Shelby has been in the Florida area for about a year; he has only been in Tampa for a month.
“I came to Florida for a better life. I have a 13-year old daughter back home who lives with my family. She is doing well. I would never drag her into this situation,” said Shelby.
Another stop incorporated into district one was the Salvation Army quarters located between Florida and Henderson Avenue. At the time, 43 year-old David Conrey had been living in Tampa’s Salvation Army for five days by way of Syracuse, N.Y.
“I assume the reason they want [us] to pay for their services [is] because they want people to get out and work,” said Conrey. “But they’re such a big organization I feel that they don’t need the money [$70 a week per person]. They put you in a tough position because unless you come into this town with money in your pocket, you can’t afford it.” Conrey has been working out of Labor Pools to pay for the Salvation Army.
As of press time, the Salvation Army spokesperson was not available for comment.