Efforts to aid Pasco County’s homeless population are shifting from a homeless shelter for single adults to a shelter for families only. The goal is to place homeless families in permanent housing as soon as possible. That is a significant change from the initial focus one year ago on a “navigation center” with wraparound services for single men and women. The effort now has a new name, too. … [Read more...]
Homeless shelter to help families find housing
May 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
A “one-stop navigation center” for the homeless population in Pasco County will provide temporary shelter for families, instead of the initial plan to help single adult men and women. If opened, the center would be Pasco’s first homeless shelter. An estimated $100,000 annual cost for around-the-clock security at the facility and neighborhood opposition to the original plan prompted the shift … [Read more...]
Homeless Coalition CEO understands tough times
January 17, 2018 By 1 Comment
Don Anderson, the new chief executive officer for The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, doesn’t have to look far to understand what it’s like to experience poverty. “I come from very humble beginnings. My dad didn’t finish eighth grade. My mom didn’t finish high school. He worked three jobs. “We had a hard time keeping a car going, let alone pay the rent every month. “I … [Read more...]
Navigation center gets funds; location upsets residents
August 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Pasco County commissioners agreed to disperse federal funds for a navigation center that will work with the homeless population to find permanent housing, health care and jobs. About $250,000 will be used to remodel the former Boys & Girls Club buildings on Youth Lane in Port Richey. Approximately $70,000 will be used to hire a staff member, possibly a program specialist, for the homeless … [Read more...]
Dade City Youth Council wins statewide photo contest
August 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Reyes Figueroa loves Dade City. And, he appreciates the east Pasco community’s acceptance in celebrating diverse cultures — particularly his Hispanic heritage. Last month, the 17-year-old Pasco High School junior and Dade City Youth Council delegate won first place in the Florida League of Cities’ (FLC) Youth Council Photography Contest. The winning photo, “Cinco De Mayo Parade,” was … [Read more...]
Opening doors of hope for the homeless
June 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Pasco County Commission has approved funding to renovate a former Boys & Girls Club, and reopen the campus as a navigation center for the county’s homeless population. An administrative building and a teen center, at 8239 Youth Lane in Port Richey, will be refurbished with about $600,000 in federal and state money. The goal is to open the navigation center by mid-2018. The center … [Read more...]
New center could help Pasco’s homeless
June 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Pasco County wants to open the county’s first homeless shelter as part of a comprehensive plan to help an estimated 3,300 homeless people. There are about 100 camps across Pasco County where people live, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The chosen location for what is proposed as a “one-stop navigation center” is in two county-owned buildings in west Pasco, formerly leased to … [Read more...]
Pasco to help homeless ‘navigate’ to better lives
November 9, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Pasco County is exploring a new program to address the needs of the homeless population. It would provide a one-stop location to provide shelter, and an array of services and resources for homeless individuals. County officials are proposing to remodel two vacant buildings at 8239 Youth Lane in Port Richey, formerly the home of a Boys & Girls Club. Described as a “navigation center,” the … [Read more...]
Sexual offenders have fewer places to live in Pasco
April 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment
The Pasco County Commission is making it harder for certain sexual offenders and predators to find places to live within the county. A new ordinance approved by the commission targets people convicted of sex crimes against children younger than age 16. Those crimes include sexual battery, lewd and lascivious conduct, and selling or buying a minor for sexual depiction. People … [Read more...]
