Tampa Homeless Veterans Relocated After Invasion of Bedbugs

Veterans moved out after bedbug infestation hits Tampa homeless shelter 
Tampa Bay Times 
Howard Altman Times Staff Writer 
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

TAMPA — Nearly three dozen veterans staying at a north Tampa homeless shelter have been temporarily moved to other facilities because of a bedbug infestation, according to the shelter and Department of Veterans Affairs officials.

The outbreak was discovered May 9, according to Ed Drohan, a spokesman for the James A. Haley VA Medical Center, which has a contract with the New Beginnings of Tampa charity to house 33 veterans at 1402 E Chilkoot Ave.

Hospital staff worked with New Beginnings to relocate all the veterans who wanted other local accommodations, Drohan said. A few have elected to stay at the shelter. Relocated residents' clothing and other possessions were treated to prevent pests from being transferred to the other facilities.

The veterans who were moved should start returning Wednesday, according to Tom Atchison, founder and chief executive of New Beginnings.

The decision to move the veterans was made by Haley leadership as soon as they became aware of the scope of the problem, Drohan said.
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