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Dr. Luanne Panacek C.E.O., Children's Board of Hillsborough CountyWinter 2008

It’s that time again when the days grow shorter and Floridians can finally enjoy some cooler weather. For many of us, it’s a welcome change from what seems like an eternal summer. For others though, the long nights and sudden drops in temperature bring to life the cold, harsh realities of living as a homeless family in Hillsborough County.

In our community, there are almost 10,000 homeless men, women and children. The perception associated with the homeless is almost always negative; however the reality may surprise you. For example, did you know that children make up almost 20% of our homeless population – that’s a 48% increase in just two years! Or that on any given day, there are more than more than 1,500 homeless children attending Hillsborough County Public Schools.*

What’s more troubling is that 90% of these families became homeless in Hillsborough County! The reasons for their misfortunes vary, but the biggest contributing factor is the shortage of affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Some other common causes include low paying jobs, unemployment, or a family breakup.

Are things getting better? How can I make a difference?

While the numbers of homeless individuals seem bleak today…they are bound to worsen. Just open any newspaper and you’ll see our local housing market in crisis with foreclosures in Florida at an all-time high. In October of 2007, more than 30,000 were filed in our state – that’s one for every 273 households and a 164% increase from October of 2006**. Sadly enough, those numbers will most likely increase as more and more homeowners fall behind on their monthly payments.

Currently in Hillsborough County, there are only enough services to help 15% of our homeless population. Add in the potential for a sharp increase in the number of homeless families and we’ve got an even greater concern.

As a community, it’s important that we reach out and help these homeless families during these cold winter months. Here are a few things you can do to make an immediate impact:

In truth, the opportunities to make a difference are endless. I encourage all Hillsborough County citizens to make a real effort in helping our homeless neighbors – not just during these winter months – but throughout the year. Together, we can alleviate this growing concern and help to ensure that families in our community have a safe, stable and loving environment in which to raise their children.

* http://www.homelessofhc.org/
* http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBF2X7Z08F.html**
RealtyTrac (agency that tracks foreclosures)