• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Crane's Roost

Neighbors object, but family housing OK’d

June 27, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County can move forward with plans to temporarily house homeless families in a building at the former campus of the Boys & Girls Club in Port Richey.

The coalition, with support from other social service agencies, also will open the Housing Services Center, which will administratively help families and individuals seeking permanent housing and other services.

A former Boys & Girls Club on Youth Lane in Port Richey will be renovated and opened as a temporary shelter for homeless families, and administrative offices for the Housing Services Center.
(File)

The Pasco County Commission, with Commissioner Jack Mariano dissenting, approved the coalition’s plan at its June 19 meeting in New Port Richey.

Commissioners also approved a 15-year lease agreement for $1 a year; and, a $190,000 contract to design renovations of two buildings at 8239 Youth Lane.

During the public hearing, many area residents who live near the site gave county commissioners the same unified message they’ve delivered before: They don’t want the coalition in their neighborhood, and they are voters.

Residents say they worry about crime, loss of property values, and safety.

“We deserve to be heard. We deserve to be listened to. We live and sleep here,” said Suzanne Greene Taldone, a resident in nearby Crane’s Roost. “You keep trying to put a square peg into a round hole.”

Supporters, including most county commissioners, say it’s overdue for Pasco to step up efforts to help the homeless population.

Data from the coalition puts the number of homeless people in Pasco County at about 2,500. Homeless families make up about 1,800 of those people and there are about 700 single adults.

Mary Ashcraft is pastor at Joining Hands Mission Church and opens the church to the homeless in cold weather. She supports the coalition’s project.

“There’s so many families out there,” she said. “I get phone calls, and I have nowhere to send them but Metropolitan Ministries. They go a great job, but they are full and packed.”

The county owns the land on Youth Lane and is providing at least $700,000 in grants, and other sources, to pay for building renovations.

“I think we’re going to do the right thing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “Sometimes, we just have to take a chance.”

The lease agreement has a 90-day written notice of termination clause.

Starkey said, “If it doesn’t go right, we’ll do something about it.”

Crane’s Roost resident Valerie Schaefer said the coalition’s programs would be like a magnet — attracting more homeless people and transients into the neighborhood.

“We taxpayers and voters will hold you commissioners responsible if you vote this through,” she said.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano
(File)

Mariano shared concerns that the Housing Services Center could have people loitering in the area. He also thought spending available grants on Habitat for Humanity houses would be a better option.

“The issue is something we’re all sensitive to. It’s only primarily about location to the neighbors,” Mariano said. “I still don’t think it’s the right project.”

The programs approved by county commissioners were a change from the initial project to open a one-stop navigation center, with wrap-around services and a shelter for adult men and women.

Most supporters liked the shift in direction to help homeless families; while others still favored the original navigation center concept.

Under the amended proposal, the center will house four to eight families in the former teen center that’s on the site. They can receive services for up to 180 days, though coalition representatives say they expect most will be there about 45 days before transitioning to permanent housing.

No more than 36 people can stay there at any one time.

There also will be background checks, curfews, security cameras, and staff members onsite at the family shelter 24 hours a day.

Plus, the coalition will limit services available at the Housing Services Center, which will operate Monday through Friday office hours.

There will be no showers, emergency food or clothing, or health care services.

Those conditions convinced owners of an adjacent shopping plaza to support the coalition.

“This is not going to bring people out of the camps,” said Robert Lincoln, an attorney representing the plaza owners. “There’s not giveaways. It’s not going to be the anchor for bringing those people into the area.”

Chase Daniels, assistant executive director for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, also voiced Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco’s continued support for the program.

The coalition will provide desk space for deputies working in the area. They can stop by and fill out their paperwork, Daniels said. “They will have a presence,” he added.

Published June 27, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, News Stories Tagged With: Boys & Girls Club, Chase Daniels, Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, Commissioner Jack Mariano, Crane's Roost, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Services Center, Joining Hands Mission Church, Mary Ashcraft, Metropolitan Ministries, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Port Richey, Robert Lincoln, Suzanne Greene Taldone, Valerie Schaefer, Youth Lane

Homeless shelter to help families find housing

May 2, 2018 By Kathy Steele

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 in the shelter’s purpose.

A public meeting in 2017 to discuss a proposed homeless shelter drew a large, impassioned crowd. (File)

“We realized the need was great for families, and we will have more funding (opportunities) for families,” said Don Anderson, chief executive officer for the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County.

A public meeting to discuss the new concept will be held May 16 at 6 p.m., at the Pasco County Commission board room in New Port Richey. Additional outreach to residents in nearby neighborhoods also is planned.

Commissioners voted on April 24 to continue the public hearing for a conditional use permit for the facility until June 19.

That will allow time to amend the coalition’s application, and to hear from area residents.

Commissioners have been supportive of the project, and previously approved funding to remodel the center.

Commissioner Jack Mariano, however, has been critical of the county’s choice of location.

Residents from Crane’s Roost, a neighborhood of about 90 homes, off Little Road, said the homeless population needs help, but they think the proposed location is wrong.

They worry about increased solicitations, crime and lowered property values.

Business owners at Ridge Plaza, adjacent to the Youth Lane site, have objected, too.

The commission’s boardroom was packed during the public hearing in 2017, with people equally passionate on both sides of the issue.

A former Boys & Girls Club in New Port Richey is being proposed as a temporary shelter for homeless families.

Advocates for the center point to its location near bus stops, government offices and service agencies as a good fit to help people in need. They also say Pasco County has been unresponsive in the past in meeting the needs of its homeless population, which at times has been counted as high as 3,000 people.

The center would operate at the two-building campus formerly leased by the county to the Boys & Girls Club, at the end of Youth Lane, off Little Road.

Under the initial concept, the goal was to house 50 to 75 homeless adult men and women for an average of 90 days at the navigation center. They would receive help in locating housing, jobs, job training and health care.

A survey by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office found about 100 homeless camps throughout the county. The initiative would focus on one camp at a time.

Under the new plan, the coalition’s “housing first” program would provide temporary shelter to families for 30 days to 60 days.

Anderson said an average stay could be 45 days or less. He anticipates housing about four families to six families at a time.

The coalition’s administrative offices would operate from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. People would receive help with job training, showers, health care, behavioral health care, case management, resume building and financial literacy.

The only food services provided would be to families staying at the center.

The people who are served at the coalition’s location on Pine Street are polite and respectful, Anderson said.

“They are really looking for services that can help them get out of their situation,” he said.

Anderson said he was hopeful that the new direction for the navigation center will be well-received.

“We really want to take advantage of their (the county’s) willingness to do something in the community for the homeless,” Anderson said.

Published May 2, 2018

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Boys & Girls Club, Crane's Roost, Don Anderson, Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, Jack Mariano, Little Road, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Pine Street, Ridge Plaza, Youth Lane

Navigation center gets funds; location upsets residents

August 30, 2017 By Kathy Steele

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 program for adult men and women only.

Commissioners approved the funds at their Aug. 15 meeting in Dade City.

Pasco County officials want to remodel the Boys & Girls Club on Youth Lane in Port Richey for a navigation center to help the homeless population. (File)

Their vote came after a nearly two-hour public comment period where county commissioners heard from supporters and opponents.

It is the location, more than the concept, which is at the heart of the dispute. The county proposes to reopen the two-building campus at the end of Youth Lane, off Little Road. The site is adjacent to Ridge Plaza, which is anchored by Hobby Lobby and a Walmart Neighborhood Supermarket.

Crane’s Roost, a subdivision of about 90 homes, is on the opposite side of Little Road.

Residents say the navigation center will hurt property values, increase crime, and make them less safe.

“Our fears are not unfounded. We do have the right to feel safe in our communities,” said Valerie Schaefer, who has lived in Crane’s Roost about 20 years.

Advocates for the center say Pasco has been too slow in responding to the needs of more than 3,000 homeless people who live on the streets, in vehicles and within about 100 encampments across the county.

The Youth Lane site is located by bus stops, government offices and agencies that can provide needed services.

“A lot of them need help with jobs and help with moving on, on their own,” said Raine Johns, chief executive officer of the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County. “It has to be somewhere in the county. This is the perfect location for it.”

The coalition is slated to operate the center. County commissioners will be asked at a later day to transfer the site’s property deed to the coalition.

The goal is to relocate homeless people, one camp at a time. Adult men and women would temporarily live at a “low-barrier” shelter while case managers work to assess their needs, and find permanent housing.

Families wouldn’t be eligible.

Johns estimates average stays of 90 days or less.

The navigation center is expected to open by mid-2018.

Published August 30, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Boys & Girls Club, Crane's Roost, Dade City, Hobby Lobby, Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, Little Road, Port Richey, Raine Johns, Ridge Plaza, Valerie Schaefer, Walmart, Youth Lane

New center could help Pasco’s homeless

June 22, 2017 By Kathy Steele

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 the Boys & Girls Club.

Pasco County Emergency Services Director Kevin Guthrie spoke to a large crowd on June 14 in New Port Richey. The county had a public meeting to talk about a navigation center to help homeless individuals with housing, health care and jobs. (Kathy Steele)

The Pasco County Commission was set to vote on June 20 (after The Laker/Lutz News deadline) on two federal grants that would be used to rehabilitate buildings.

The goal is to open the navigation center in 2018.

Pasco County and the Homeless Coalition of Pasco had public meetings on June 7 and on June 14 in New Port Richey to explain the navigation center and get public input.

While most support the homeless shelter in concept, nearby neighbors in Crane’s Roost and representatives of a nearby mall object to the proposed location at 8239 Youth Lane, off Little Road in New Port Richey.

They worry about increased solicitation, crime and lowered property values.

Studies have shown the opposite, including decreases in crime, said Raine Johns, chief executive officer of the Homeless Coalition of Pasco.

“You’ll find this decreases dramatically,” she said.

However, a representative of Ridge Plaza, anchored by Hobby Lobby and a Walmart Neighborhood Market, said tenants have expressed concerns about impacts to their businesses. He also said no one had reached out to mall representatives to discuss the navigation center.

“It certainly merits that we get together,” he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano was the only commissioner to vote against the navigation center in November. He proposed putting the center in the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter in Hudson.

He said the program could be operated cheaper, safer and quicker if the shelter were used.

Others said the hurricane shelter was in the “middle of nowhere,” with no bus service and few job opportunities.

“The last thing we want to do is institutionalize the homeless population,” said Johns.

The navigation center is modeled after one in San Francisco. It would be a one-stop shelter that would work to place people into housing. They also would receive help in finding jobs, job training and health care, and receive personalized case management.

The efforts would focus on one camp at a time, with as many as 75 single adult men and women housed an average of 90 days at the navigation center.

“Housing first. That’s the end goal,” said Cathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services. “A lot of partners are coming together. We believe in this.”

The count done by the sheriff’s office found homeless camps in all areas of the county, including west Pasco, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes and Dade City.

“This is a serious topic. We know that,” said Pasco County Sheriff’s Capt. James Steffens. “We’re trying to do something other than put handcuffs on people and take them to jail.”

The sheriff’s office is one of the partners for the navigation center. Others include the United Way of Pasco, the Pasco County Housing Authority, and the Public Defender’s Office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

United Way will contribute about $100,000. About 50 housing vouchers will be dedicated to the navigation center. And, the public defender’s office plans to send its mobile medical unit to the center.

Pasco also plans to contribute about $50,000 for a program that would hire some of the homeless individuals for county labor. The goal is to help them learn skills and establish a work history.

The County Commission is expected to be asked in September to transfer the navigation center property to the homeless coalition.

As a nonprofit, the coalition has more access to additional grants.

Published June 21, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Boys & Girls Club, Cathy Pearson, Crane's Roost, Hobby Lobby, Homeless Coalition of Pasco, Jack Mariano, James Steffens, Little Road, Mike Fasano Regional Hurrican Shelter, New Port Richey, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Housing Authority, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Raine Johns, Ridge Plaza, United Way of Pasco, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Youth Lane

Primary Sidebar

Plaza Mexico

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

CONGRATULATIONS to Norah Catlin, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Catlin, a senior at Wiregrass Ranch … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

‘Aladdin jr.’

Live Oak Theatre is now selling tickets for its Acorn Theatre production of “Aladdin jr.” Performances will be March 18 through March 28, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 13 and younger, when accompanied by an adult. For show times and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.square.site, email , or call 352-593-0027. … [Read More...] about ‘Aladdin jr.’

02/27/2021 – Flea market

The Wesley Chapel Antique & Collectible Flea Market will take place on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. There will be food trucks, inflatables, 100-plus vendors, and more. Admission is $5. Parking is free. … [Read More...] about 02/27/2021 – Flea market

02/27/2021 – JunkFest celebration

The Blooming House Junk Shop, 12409 Curley St., in San Antonio, will host a fifth anniversary JunkFest Celebration on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors, food, live music, and tons of ‘junk.’ For information, call Laura Bloomer at 813-541-9234, or visit the shop on Facebook and click on the event tab. … [Read More...] about 02/27/2021 – JunkFest celebration

02/27/2021 – Living history

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host “The Battle of Fort Myers” on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a battle reenactment with artillery at 2 p.m., both days. There also will be living history displays, authentic camps, traditional crafters, civilian portrayals and presentations, blacksmith demonstrations, food, live entertainment, and more. Admission is $5 cash, each day. Children age 5 and younger are free. All museum buildings will be open during the event. For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org, or call 352-567-0262. … [Read More...] about 02/27/2021 – Living history

03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

The Gulfside Hospice New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 State Road 54, will host a Bridal Trunk Show on March 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 250 dresses to choose from, starting at $29.99 and many brand new. Admission is free, but limited spots are available to allow for social distancing. Brides must register online in advance, by March 3, at bit.ly/NPR-Bridal-Trunk-Show. All proceeds from the shop go to help hospice patients in Pasco County. For questions, contact Jeremi Sliger at , or call 727-842-7262. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
5h

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily. https://buff.ly/2MtqP1Z

Reply on Twitter 1365708311912415237Retweet on Twitter 1365708311912415237Like on Twitter 13657083119124152371Twitter 1365708311912415237
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
26 Feb

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel. https://buff.ly/2Nye3zP

Reply on Twitter 1365346133065814018Retweet on Twitter 1365346133065814018Like on Twitter 1365346133065814018Twitter 1365346133065814018
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
25 Feb

Pasco board divided over proposed apartments. https://buff.ly/3aAB0uH

Reply on Twitter 1364983498516418563Retweet on Twitter 1364983498516418563Like on Twitter 1364983498516418563Twitter 1364983498516418563
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

Ash Wednesday events vary, across region

State testing should not be punitive, board members say

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award

Perils on Pasco roads continue to climb

New fire truck welcomed with a ‘push-in’ ceremony

Efforts underway to help deputy’s family

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

Celebrating one life, saving another

Two Rivers will offer places to live, work, play

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Pasco board looks to put pause on multifamily

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

Ash Wednesday events vary, across region

State testing should not be punitive, board members say

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award

Perils on Pasco roads continue to climb

New fire truck welcomed with a ‘push-in’ ceremony

Efforts underway to help deputy’s family

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

Celebrating one life, saving another

Two Rivers will offer places to live, work, play

Sports Stories

Sports agency in Lutz building reputation, clientele

Conference champs!

1,000-point club

Locals athletes ink with colleges on National Signing Day

Seniors keep active at East Pasco Family YMCA

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   