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| June's Survey Result |
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| On May 20, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the HEARTH Act, a landmark legislation which amends the definition of homelessness, provides funding and incentives for rapid rehousing, and extends more help to homeless families. This Act sets a goal for homeless families to be rehoused within 30 days. |
- Do you think the 30-day homelessness goal is realistic for Pinellas County?
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| Result: |
| Yes - 21% |
| No - 79% |
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| February's Survey Result |
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Family homelessness is a growing crisis in America. Although single men constitute about sixty percent of the homeless population, families constitute about one-third of all homeless and are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. President Obama's economic stimulus plan includes $1.5 billion for the Emergency Shelter Grant program to provide short-term rental assistance, housing relocation, and stabilization services for families during the economic crisis. Traditionally, these funds would be disbursed through a formula to the four entitlement communities in this county. Some community leaders are calling for a joint program of preventative services administered by just one agency to save on administrative and staffing costs.
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- Do you favor coordinated preventative services for homeless families in Pinellas County?
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| Result: |
| Yes - 74% |
| No - 26% |
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| January's Survey Result |
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| The recession is catching many of the nation's largest cities in the middle of implementing 10-year plans to drastically reduce the number of chronically homeless. State and local budget cuts and reductions in corporate and foundation giving have choked support for the critical services targeting this need. By the time those dollars start flowing again, cities could be looking at starting from scratch. |
- This year, what should be the top "resolution" of the County and cities for ending homelessness?
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| Result: |
| Purchase abandoned foreclosed houses and rent them to homeless families - 47% |
| Implement the "housing first" strategy, placing chronically homeless persons in housing and then provide wrap-around services - 26% |
| Adopt a "shelter-to-housing" strategy to place more homeless persons in permanent housing - 21% |
| Seek more funding for the school district to assist homeless students - 5% |
| Permit more construction of housing, while promoting affordability, in high-price housing markets - 0% |
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| December's Survey Result |
| Family homelessness has reached critical levels in Pinellas County in recent months. Service providers are all reporting dramatic increases in the number of families that need emergency shelter, food baskets, and rent and utility assistance. Currently, there are only about 125 emergency shelter and transitional housing beds for families countywide and the shelves of area food pantries are becoming bare. The Joint HLN/PCCH Services Committee met on December 5th to identify and prioritize immediate needs to address this crisis. |
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- Which need do you think the HLN & PCCH should give the highest priority?
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| Result: |
| More assistance such as rent and utility assistance on the "front end" to prevent homelessness - 29% |
| More emergency shelter beds for families - 28% |
| Central intake facility -- like Turning Point is for the inebreated -- for families - 9% |
| Real-time bed inventory to eliminate the need to call every shelter to find an available bed - 7% |
| Scrap outdated rules for families (e.g. employment, marriage, etc.) seeking admission to shelter - 7% |
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| November's Survey Result |
| Homeless street outreach is the initial step in connecting or reconnecting homeless individuals and families to shelter and other needed services. This intervention is vitally important because it reaches chronically homeless persons who might otherwise avoid or be unaware of services and minimizes the adverse effects of homelessness on families seeking to stabilize their lives. Currently, there are three street outreach teams in Pinellas County. They are key referral sources for Pinellas Hope, a 250-bed temporary shelter just north of Pinellas Park, which has taken hundreds of people off the streets since its opening in December 2007. |
- Should there be more street outreach teams to combat street homelessness in Pinellas County?
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| Result: |
| Yes - 100% |
| No - 0% |
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| October's Survey Result |
| The current economic downturn is impacting many segments of American life. According to our homeless street outreach teams in Pinellas County, the number of homeless families has increased dramatically, and there are far too few emergency beds or supportive housing units to accommodate them. Election Day is fast approaching. |
- Which presidential candidate do you think has the best plan for addressing homelessness?
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| Result: |
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| Barr - 0% |
| McCain - 20% |
| McKinney - 12% |
| Nader - 4% |
| Obama - 64% |
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| September's Survey Result |
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| Public feeding of homeless and low-income people outdoors in St. Petersburg continues to draw the ire of many people, especially downtown business owners, residents and tourists. Opponents of the outdoor feeding say the free meals given to people in places like Williams Park and Mirror lake interfere with their businesses and lives. They point out that there are at least four soup kitchens within walking distance of downtown St. Pete. On the other hand, homeless advocates say that charitable organizations and individuals have been providing safe, nutritious meals to needy persons for many years, and it is neccesary to meet the needs of people who won't go to shelters or soup kitchens. |
- Do you think charitable organizations should be allowed to feed hungry people in public places?
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| Result: |
| 71% - Yes |
| 26% - No |
| 3% - Not Sure |
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| July's Survey Result |
| This month, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, in an effort to trim its budget, is considering returning its homeless street outreach team (Deputy Tim Myers) to regular patrol duties. If this is enacted, there will no longer be a street outreach team in Lealman or at Pinellas Hope. |
- Should the Sheriff eliminate the street outreach team?
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Result:
100% - No
0% - Yes
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| June's Survey Result |
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| Some funders are urging nonprofit service providers to merge with each other in order to raise the possibility of cost savings and revenue enhancement. |
- Do you feel mergers are the best way to accomplish these benefits?
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Result:
25% - Yes
50% - No
25% - Not Sure
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| May's Survey Result |
| • |
How would you rate the 2008 Awards Breakfast? |
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78% responded "Excellent"
22% responded "Good"
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