Orlando Sentinel common sense on homeless problem

Our position: The relocation of homeless from encampment in woods offers a how-to
May 5, 2008


How do you relocate 60 people who have been living in the woods, some of them as long as 14 years, in a couple of weeks?

The Homeless Services Network found a way. Hopefully, the regional commission on homelessness was taking notes.

This is a blueprint on how to deal in crisis management. Better yet, it shows how a proactive approach will get homeless people the services they need, many of which they're entitled to have.

One person was a veteran who had gone seven years without a caseworker -- who could have told him he was eligible for a pension and medical services.


Others moved into a permanent supportive housing program, which assigns them a case manager and includes a rental subsidy as long as they follow rules.

It's a good example of what's a critical first-step for many homeless people: housing, followed by help for those who need mental-health treatment. Once stable, they are able to make better choices, and stay off the streets.

This particular group was part of a homeless camp off John Young Parkway that had been living on private property.

There's always going to be a few people who prefer to stay out of society's reach, but they aren't the bulk of as many as 9,000 homeless people living in this region. Some of them live in one of the estimated 180 homeless camps in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Ignoring them solves nothing. But here's a thought: By reaching out, you keep them from dropping off the radar in the first place.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed05208may05,0,1189885.story

There are 1,400 of the 9,000 homeless right here in Central Florida who happen to be veterans. The Dom, out of the VA clinic can only take care of 60 at a time. If you really want to help the veterans, donate to the Dom and show the forgotten you care. If you want to help the other homeless people in the area, support programs for them and talk about the issue. Don't let them be forgotten either.