TAMPA — A brand new survey reveals homelessness is up 4 p.c in Hillsborough County, in contrast wirh 2020. But the folks behind the survey say that the issue has in all probability gotten worse for the reason that survey was taken in February, because of rising rents and normal inflation.
Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative CEO Antoinette Hayes Triplett says there are initiatives underway however the course of is like “putting out fires” in the present market and their efforts are at present “treading water.”
One drawback, Triplett says, is that pink tape retains the county from competing successfully with builders who’re shopping for up properties. Private patrons can provide money in hand, in contrast to the county which should wait as much as 90 days to entry cash for a purchase order.
At the identical time, Triplett says,companies are having a tough time holding the case staff who assist the homeless discover a place to reside.
The survey is required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county did not conduct a survey in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Listen to an interview with Triplett under.
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