Hillsborough Hope in the News Bishop Lynch's Comments on Commision Decision July 21st, 2009 This morning’s 5-2 decision by the Hillsborough County Commission to allow Catholic Charities to open a second site for the homeless in the bay area (Pinellas Hope has been function for almost two years now) is something just short of miraculous. Until this morning there had been scant indications that the Commissioners would support a new temporary housing for the homeless on the only site in Hillsborough Country which the diocese might be able to use for this purpose. The news media had reported correctly on the opposition of the residents to the plan, the negative decisions of two regulatory bodies or persons who make recommendations to the Commission about such things, and the seemingly endless uphill challenge of gaining support for the project. Yet hope springs eternal in the minds and hearts of our Catholic Charities Leadership and they never gave up. The Hillsborough Commission today voted to instruct the staff to change the language which would allow our Pinellas Hope approach of temporary housing (tents to be specific) to be copied on the Hillsborough site. We screen every applicant, police the place literally with off-duty police, assist the homeless in securing the benefits to which they are entitled (Pinellas Hope has been an education to me in how often our Veterans do not know what is available to them in assistance), help them find jobs and most especially provide a safe and secure place for them to live temporarily. Meals have been supplied by countless Church and other groups (the Allegany Franciscan Sisters, for one example, have cooked and served several times in Pinellas Hope) and access to medical attention is also provided as needed. The powerful fusion of public and private support has given lift and life to our presence among the homeless. It is precisely where I think our Church needs to position itself to the care for the “homeless masses yearning to breathe free.” This is just the beginning step but very significant. I wish to pay special tribute and appreciation to the editorial boards of THE TAMPA TRIBUNE and THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES for their well researched, well-reasoned, and well-spoken advocacy for Hillsborough Cares. In my judgment, they made a huge difference in the outcome of today’s discussion. It is my prayer and my hope that Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg will soon be able to join Metropolitan Ministries and the Salvation Army and the other organizations who work for and with the homeless. Earlier I mentioned that today’s vote was near miraculous. Well if Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta is in need of one more miracle for sanctity, I would be happy to offer today’s happenings. Hillsborough officials' sudden interest in homeless camp riles opponents As reported by Chandra Broadwater of the St Petersburg Times, “They didn't say no. And that was enough for supporters of Catholic Charities' tent village project to hold out hope for a "yes" in the future. In a surprising 5-2 vote Tuesday, Hillsborough County commissioners directed their staff to review county law and define what's needed to approve the project…Citing an immediate need to address a growing problem in the county, commissioners agreed to discuss the [staff] findings Aug. 11.”  Given the recent Hillsborough County Staff and hearing master recommendations against the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Catholic Charities’ proposal to establish a temporary homeless shelter on Hillsborough Ave., we were greatly encouraged by the support indicated by the County Commissioners. Commissioners Rose Ferlita and Mark Sharpe were particularly supportive in their understanding of the pressing need to address the homelessness issue and make the necessary changes in zoning requirement to find a way to move forward on the project or a modification of the proposal. Proposed village for homeless in Hillsborough County dealt another blow In a 20-page report issued Wednesday, land use hearing officer James Scarola recommended that county commissioners deny Catholic Charities' request to provide temporary housing for the homeless. The St. Petersburg Times - June 11, 2009 Tent City Idea Being Revised Catholic Charities is revising a proposal to set up a tent city and later build temporary shelters, or casitas, for homeless clients looking for jobs and independence. East Lake Park residents, though, are gearing up to block the project at a Hillsborough County rezoning hearing Feb. 17. Catholic officials say they want to respect neighbors' concerns but also have an obligation to help the county's 9,000 or so homeless. Hillsborough County has a street homeless problem, period. O'Brien said the Pinellas County location is more suitable than the Hillsborough site, which is near East Lake Park's 324 homes, as well as businesses and schools. Tampa Bay Online - Jan 14, 2009 Tent City Plan Is Under Fire Catholic Charities is revising a proposal to set up a tent city and later build temporary shelters, or casitas, for homeless clients looking for jobs and independence. But East Lake Park residents are gearing up to block the project at a Hillsborough County rezoning hearing Feb. 17. Tampa Bay Online - Jan 8, 2009 Charity's Tent City Proposal Concerns Neighbors Catholic Charities is revising a proposal to set up a tent city and later build temporary shelters, or casitas, for homeless clients looking for jobs and independence. But East Lake Park residents are gearing up to block the project at a Hillsborough County rezoning hearing Feb. 17. Catholic officials say they want to respect neighbors' concerns but also have an obligation to help the county's 9,000 or so homeless. Hillsborough County has a street homeless problem, period. O'Brien said the Pinellas County location is more suitable than the Hillsborough site, which is near East Lake Park's 324 homes, as well as businesses and schools. The Tampa Tribune - Jan 7, 2009 Neighborhood Fears Diocese’s Homeless Plan East Lake residents mount opposition to The catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg plan to operate a temporary, seasonal homeless shelter on a 12-acre plot off Hillsborough Avenue near East Lake Park, a 325-home subdivision. The St. Petersburg Time – Jan 4, 2009 Charity Gets State Grant For Housing Homeless Operators of Pinellas Hope received a $3 million state grant Friday to build 50 motel-style units at a tent city housing homeless people. The concrete block units will serve as transitional housing for tent residents who are making progress toward becoming independent, said Frank Murphy, president of Catholic Charities, which created and helps to operate Pinellas Hope. But the homeless, the people at Pinellas Hope, will tell you that's fine. The $3 million state emergency housing grant will be combined with $1 million Pinellas Hope has obtained from the cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo, Murphy said. Pinellas Hope opened 10 months ago at the end of 126th Avenue, west of 49th Street North, in mid-Pinellas County, as a seasonal tent city to shelter homeless people and help them with personal needs and finding jobs. Tampa Bay Online - Aug 9, 2008