My only complaint about using the word “Hobo” is that it really refers to a time and age of when homeless men utilized the railway system in order to jump from one location to another. The term was used more and more during and after the great depression in the 1930’s when that population exploded. They have their own language, code and way of life. Very much different than the homeless of today where almost 1/3 of the population are children and nearly half are family units. It’s hard to break the “stereotypical” impression of the homeless, and many have a hard time believing that almost anyone can be homeless.
The true definition is someone who doesn’t have a regular place to stay. If our community had a homeless infrastructure like some of the urban areas, we wouldn’t have a “homeless vagrancy” problem. Typically, these individuals do keep to themselves, and as a community we should try to help them. Typically, they would be less trouble if they received services that were beneficial to them. Food, shelter some clothing, etc… But, the one’s that tend to stay in an area for any extended period of time, sometimes will find themselves getting into trouble because they’ve utilized all we can offer them. They’re only allowed to stay at the New Testament Mission for up to six days, for example. The Mission is the only emergency homeless shelter we have in the area, for now.
The Federal Government, mainly US HUD, would like each community to develop a plan to end chronic homelessness by the year 2012. There are some fundamental issues that make that goal unobtainable. Mainly funding. The problems that the City of St. Petersburg faced last year with the “Tent City” at St. Vincent du Paul was nothing compared to some other areas of the county. So, when Pinellas County finally developed and published their plan to end chronic homelessness, the total figure was through the roof! ( http://tinyurl.com/263ch3 )
Since our community is labeled “Rural” we face many disadvantages:
1. Lack of adequate financial support.
2. Inadequate or a lack of shelter programs. (Emergency, Transitional and Permanent)
3. Lack of capital funding initiatives.
4. Lack of Affordable Housing Solutions.
5. Benefit service delivery systems.
If we had 1/10th of what our “crowded neighbors to the north” had here in Highlands County, EVERYONE would see a noticeable difference in how we take care of our homeless population.
It is my goal to ensure that Highlands County becomes the model of successful rural homeless solutions.
So, to answer your question, Yes! We have partnered with another local non-profit organization that will enable us to open a new shelter program in Highlands County. I do not want to let too much “out of the bag”, but this is a multi-unit facility that will become the first step in solving our homeless issues. (More to come, I promise!)