Hillsborough Records Drop In Homelessness

BRANDON, FL – Andrea Bradwell used to think homeless people just didn’t try hard enough.

When she was approached by panhandlers, the Hillsborough County resident used to think, “Why don’t they just get a job?” – that is until she found herself on the streets. Bradwell became homeless after her employer cut her sales position and her unemployment benefits expired.

However, Bradwell became a positive statistic for Hillsborough County, along with many other former homeless people, according to the results of an annual survey.

The annual “Point in Time” count of homeless people in Hillsborough County was highlighted by a 15 percent drop in the number of people who live on the streets since last year. Volunteers counted 1,549 homeless people in Hillsborough County this year, whether it’s people living in shelters or on the streets.

According to Hillsborough County, the reduction in the homeless population is attributed to the implementation of the “Housing First” and “Rapid-Rehousing” models used by Hillsborough County Homeless Services and its partner agencies. The two models are designed for homeless people and families to receive resources to transition to permanent housing.

“These strategies are based on statistics showing people with a home are more likely to be productive members of society,” the county said in a release. “Help them find a home, the theory goes, then address other needs or issues.”

Bradwell was among those who were helped by the Rapid-Rehousing program. Without a job or money for necessities, she ran the gamut of living with a friend, in motels, in her car and at a shelter. DACCO, a local agency that receives funds from Hillsborough County, stepped in and helped Bradwell qualify for an apartment.

While Bradwell recognized some people are lazy, many more people just lack the ability or resources to get back on their feet. “Everybody’s story is different,” she said.

Bradwell credited DACCO, along with her own determination, for helping her out of homelessness. She found a job at a call center and has lived in her own apartment for about two months.

“I just needed a little bit of help,” she said. “That’s all I needed.”

Hillsborough County’s Rapid-Rehousing Program helped 237 homeless people find permanent accommodations as quickly as possible. The program assists people with case management, landlord negotiations, rental and utility help and other support services.

The Point in Time count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, with assistance from Homeless Services, leads the effort to get a snapshot of the county’s homeless population during the one-day survey.

The Hillsborough County 2017 Point in Time survey, taken in February, was compiled by 330 volunteers to measure local homelessness.

Image caption: Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative volunteers help with the annual count of homeless people.

Image via Hillsborough County Government website