Homeless will get a helping hand in Florida
Thursday Ben Carson the head of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Florida was earmarked for $83.2 million to help house the states ever-growing homeless population. Carson said that the money being sent to Florida was part of nearly $2 billion being spent on the homeless nationwide.
In a statement released yesterday by HUD Carson explained some of the details.
“HUD stands with our local partners who are working each and every day to house and serve our most vulnerable neighbors,” Carson said on Thursday. “We know how to end homelessness and it starts with embracing a housing-first approach that relies upon proven strategies that offer permanent housing solutions to those who may otherwise be living in our shelters and on our streets.”
According to HUD Florida has an estimated homeless population of a little over 32,000 people which is down about 4 percent from 2016 numbers.
At present, there are over 7,300 programs helping the homeless throughout the United States. Here in the Sunshine State, that number is just over 350 programs.
Those programs work in concert with what HUD calls “Continuums of Care” composed of volunteers trying to count the homeless population. On Thursday, Denise Cleveland-Leggett, HUD’s Southeast Regional Administrator, praised HUD’s volunteers.
“Our local partners are to be commended for their commitment and ongoing efforts to address homelessness,” she said. “Progress is being made but we must remain resolute in our mutual commitment to more innovatively and effectively address homelessness through a housing-first approach that is evidence-based.”
Quotes in this story were provided by Associated Press and the statistics were from HUD.
