Someone should do a story on the homeless camp downtown

[uptowngirl]

Anyone driving down Union St has seen this camp, it has grown slowly but surely. Two weeks ago when I drove by there was around sixty, seventy people lining the block, trash, bags, blankets, clothes, bottles, and cans lined both sides of the street. I think this started as a feeding station and now has become a true camp. I cannot imagine why the city does nothing about this, I saw three people urinating when I drove by, and I am sure there is even worse on that block based on the number of people and long term situation. People are going to get sick. If I could figure out how to post pictures here I would. How can downtown progress with this type of activity? All cities have homelessness and crime issues, but most have not turned over the city completely. With all the money these different groups and churches spend they could pool their money and build something really worthy, a day center that could provide training, shelter, and food which is what is really needed to get people off the street.

[stephenc]

The problem is a lot of the homeless population don't want to go to a shelter. When hit up for money, I will normally offer to take them to the Trinity Rescue Mission, in which they refuse most of the time. I've found that the majority don't want to change their situation. You can build all the shelters you want but you can't force them to go in and change there situation.

[Dog Walker]

Uptown, you don't need to worry about that camp anymore.  We just left the downtown Main library and they have all moved there instead.

[tufsu1]

wow...so you mean that the shelters have enough capacity to handle all the homeless on the coldest night of te year...and that all these people choose to stay outside?

[Seraphs]

Anyone driving down Union St has seen this camp, it has grown slowly but surely. Two weeks ago when I drove by there was around sixty, seventy people lining the block, trash, bags, blankets, clothes, bottles, and cans lined both sides of the street. I think this started as a feeding station and now has become a true camp. I cannot imagine why the city does nothing about this, I saw three people urinating when I drove by, and I am sure there is even worse on that block based on the number of people and long term situation. People are going to get sick. If I could figure out how to post pictures here I would. How can downtown progress with this type of activity? All cities have homelessness and crime issues, but most have not turned over the city completely. With all the money these different groups and churches spend they could pool their money and build something really worthy, a day center that could provide training, shelter, and food which is what is really needed to get people off the street.

Uptowngirl you forgot the main amenity of the Julia Street Camp, cardboard boxes.  Collapsed cardboard boxes line the streets on both sides.  It is absolutely beyond me how a city could allow  this to take place.  I'm not without feeling or lack the human touch, but these facilities should be located outside the city core in industrialized areas.  If we were gonna host a Superbowl next week that camp wouldn't be there.  This city need to pretend a Superbowl is coming every week so we can move toward a viable downtown.

[urbanlibertarian]

Is this District 9?

[Ocklawaha]

wow...so you mean that the shelters have enough capacity to handle all the homeless on the coldest night of te year...and that all these people choose to stay outside?

"HURRY UP EPHRAIM, GET RID OF HER, SHE JUST AIN'T NORMAL"


The shelters don't even get close to holding all of the homeless. In many cases, alcoholics, druggies, hookers, mentally challenged and in some cases gross physically challenged people are NOT WELCOME.

We need three things in our city...

1. A new outlook on our homeless based on STREET PSYCHOLOGY, getting to them WHERE THEY ARE, without putting a bunch of strings and demands on them. They are homeless for a reason, and most are there because they can't cope with simple rules and regulations.

2. Rather then remain a city that either ignores them, or warehouses them, why not the first city to reach out with a plethora of programs for a hand up.  Start with basics, clean accessible bathrooms, showers, beds. Don't RULE THEM "BACK TO NORMAL," RATHER, "LOVE THEM BACK," for many of them it will be the first love they have ever had.

3. Decentralize our warehouses, get them out of the core and in the edge of industrial neighborhoods where day labor is common. Make the shelters spartan, but more home like, and most important of all, 24/7/365, THE DOORS ARE OPEN and the COFFEE IS ON. There is ALWAYS someone to talk to, a book to read and oh BTW, the TV is on.

OCKLAWAHA
At least 2 of the 5 MJ guys have lived on the Street, we speak from experience

[mtraininjax]

Downtown homelessness is just another symptom of an empty downtown. Add more residences downtown and the homeless move out of the empty buildings and deserted streets. The situation is no different in other parts of town with empty houses and crime. Add the residents and businesses, and you will see a change in the homelessness downtown. With more money downtown, you can afford all the wish list items above, but you have to take back the streets with residents and businesses, and we're not there.

[uptowngirl]

I do not even pretend to be an expert in this, but the whole camp is SHOCKING, I mean I slowed down with jaw dropped. Most people just kept zooming by, but I could not even believe I was seeing this right downtown, AND across the street from the school. Not only is this unhealthy for the campers, but what about the students? I agree, shame on the city for allowing this, I mean really WTH?

[heights unknown]

Anyone driving down Union St has seen this camp, it has grown slowly but surely. Two weeks ago when I drove by there was around sixty, seventy people lining the block, trash, bags, blankets, clothes, bottles, and cans lined both sides of the street. I think this started as a feeding station and now has become a true camp. I cannot imagine why the city does nothing about this, I saw three people urinating when I drove by, and I am sure there is even worse on that block based on the number of people and long term situation. People are going to get sick. If I could figure out how to post pictures here I would. How can downtown progress with this type of activity? All cities have homelessness and crime issues, but most have not turned over the city completely. With all the money these different groups and churches spend they could pool their money and build something really worthy, a day center that could provide training, shelter, and food which is what is really needed to get people off the street.

I agree wholeheartedly "Uptown Girl" with what you're saying.  However, it's easier said than done.  Number one, funding has been cut dramatically for just about all social service agencies in these hard economic times; especially federal and state funding.  Number two, the big Agencies, i.e., United Way, Salvation Army etc., who rake in millions upon millions and sometimes billions of dollars a year don't spend their money wisely.  I know this because I run a social service agency in West Central Florida.  Our budget is extremely small compared to those "big brother" peer agencies, and it's sad when people come complaining to me because I do a better job than they do (of finding resources to help them out of their homelessness).  So it's a mixture of problems that are keeping social agencies from helping in the right way.  In my opinion the biggest problem is the large agencies, again such as the "Sally" (salvation army) and United Way, are not spending the money the right way.  I have said all along in our agency's point papers, etc. that all social agencies should band together statewide and nationwide and attack the homelessness problem headon, and build big shelters, not just for food and clothing, but shelters to attack the problems that cause homelessness such as drug use, drug abuse, mental problems, health problems, disabilities, alcohol use, alcohol abuse, financial problems, family problems, teen family problems, etc. to better assist people to hopefully permanently come out of homelessness.  I respect all of your views regarding homelessness, but the reasons why people are homeless are much deeper than meets the eye, and unfortunately there is not a magin wand to wave and instantaneously wave it and homelessness disappears.

"HU"

[heights unknown]

The problem is a lot of the homeless population don't want to go to a shelter. When hit up for money, I will normally offer to take them to the Trinity Rescue Mission, in which they refuse most of the time. I've found that the majority don't want to change their situation. You can build all the shelters you want but you can't force them to go in and change there situation.

In all due respect stephenc, all that the present shelters will do is feed, clothe, and give them a cot for a night and then send them on their way.  Believe it or not, the majority of the homeless want out, but you can't get out if you're beset with social problems and ills that keep you within that vicious neverending circle.  As I stated in my last post, we need shelters or transient centers that can attack those social problems as well as provide shelter, food, etc. and help to permanently end homelessness and not provide only temporary solutions.

"HU"

[tpot]

The homeless problem in this city is out of control.  Whenever I have out of town guests visit they are always shocked at the number of homless they see around downtown.  I know every large city has an issue with homeless, but our problem is out of control. 

Glad I'm moving to Ft Lauderdale..............

[stephenc]

The problem is a lot of the homeless population don't want to go to a shelter. When hit up for money, I will normally offer to take them to the Trinity Rescue Mission, in which they refuse most of the time. I've found that the majority don't want to change their situation. You can build all the shelters you want but you can't force them to go in and change there situation.

In all due respect stephenc, all that the present shelters will do is feed, clothe, and give them a cot for a night and then send them on their way.  Believe it or not, the majority of the homeless want out, but you can't get out if you're beset with social problems and ills that keep you within that vicious neverending circle.  As I stated in my last post, we need shelters or transient centers that can attack those social problems as well as provide shelter, food, etc. and help to permanently end homelessness and not provide only temporary solutions.

"HU"

Oh I believe that most want out and if they look they have options. I can't speak with other centers but the Trinity Rescue Mission has programs for the homeless. You can go through a 3-6 month program downtown and then go to a rehab center in St. Johns County for 6 months. They then put you into transitional housing in town and help find you employee. With all that assistance, people still quit and go back to where they started. I know some people unfortunately have issues with the Christian environment (which I think is the only true way to fix their situation), but I'm sure there are other centers that have programs without the spiritual impact.

[Seraphs]

Anyone who thinks most homeless people want to be off the street is absolutely positively out of touch with reality.  I agree with Ock on most of all he said.  I would change one statement, some can't deal with simple rules and regulations, but many simply will not. In speaking with people that I know well from all classes and backgrounds, I know of many homeless people that leave warm beds to sleep under overpasses and be in the street.

Regardless of the reasons behind homelessness, I think most of us agree get the folks out of the core where we can help the ones who truly want to be helped and let the others do what they choose to and that is to get whatever it is they want from the system. This way some of us win. We create an environment that's better for them and a clean downtown hopefully to grow a large residential district.

[Karl_Pilkington]

The homeless problem in this city is out of control.  Whenever I have out of town guests visit they are always shocked at the number of homless they see around downtown.  I know every large city has an issue with homeless, but our problem is out of control. 

Glad I'm moving to Ft Lauderdale..............

sorry to give you the bad news, but Ft. Liquordale has the same problems: http://blog.timsmith.com/2010/01/07/vagrant-feeding-coming-to-your-area.aspx?ref=rss