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Advocates for homeless, residents square off on 'tent city'

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 2009

TAMPA - Homelessness begs for a solution.

But whether a proposed "tent city" operated by Catholic Charities is that solution has put neighbors at odds with church officials and homeless advocates.

On Tuesday at a packed meeting, a land-use hearing officer heard arguments for and against the operation that would provide temporary shelters for homeless people on 12 acres at East Hillsborough Avenue and Harney Road.

"I would encourage anyone who has a hand in this decision to think of a homeless person as another part of the ecology of community of which none are expendable," said Edgar Santiago. "Most completely, I am a person, a soul."

Santiago is homeless, temporarily living in a room at a St. Petersburg soup kitchen, Portamento of Hope. He joined with Catholic Charities officials, Jesuit priests from Sacred Heart Catholic Church and others in support of the Hillsborough County tent city.

Neighbors who oppose the complex say both they and homeless people deserve better than a mix of tents and wooden shelters, or casitas, which would house people for up to 90 days at a time.
"It's a cheap fix … for a long-term problem," said East Lake Park resident Hal Hart. "Aren't we creating the third-world equivalent of a shanty town?"

Hart and dozens of residents from neighborhoods including East Lake Park, Staley Estates, Grant Park and Meadowwood Condos spoke against the project. They maintain the homeless shelters will increase crime, reduce property values and curb future growth.

There are crime, drugs and prostitution issues plaguing communities now, said Desmond King, a Northview Hills resident and vice president of Grant Park's civic association.

"We have our hands full," he said. "The last thing we need is an addition. Nothing against the homeless."

Homeless counts show Hillsborough County has at least 9,500 homeless people but only about 15 percent can be accommodated with temporary lodging. The proposed tent city, Hillsborough Cares, with 250 residences, could accept up to 500 people.

"Most of us are blessed to live in permanent housing," said Catholic Charities President Frank Murphy. "We have lots of homeless who need emergency shelters."

The tent city would be modeled on Pinellas Hope, a temporary shelter site in Pinellas Park. There would be an on-site manager and security. Adult men and women, and in some cases couples, would share dining, bathroom and recreational facilities.

Counselors would help people find jobs and acess social services. Area churches would donate food.
But neighbors, who have been working on a community growth plan, say they are hoping a planned expansion of nearby Seminole Hard Rock Casino will attract more retail and restaurants.

"Are they going to come here if they see a tent city?" said East Lake Park resident Joanne O'Brien. "I don't think so."

Two reports from Hillsborough's Planning Commission and the county's planning and growth management staff recommended against the tent city in part because the tents and casitas would be substandard without plumbing, water or lights. Nor does the existing county code readily accommodate a facility such as the one proposed to accommodate homeless people.

Campgrounds generally are in rural areas for vacation, educational and recreational activities. But support services for the homeless would not be permitted in districts allowing camps, county staffers said.

Tent city supporters say the code interpretations are off base because the proposal isn't for housing but for temporary shelters, and other portions of the code require the county to take care of the disadvantaged.

Attorney Judy James, representing Catholic Charities, likened the proposed campground to a recreational vehicle park which allows limited stays.

"Hillsborough County permits RV parks," she said. "RVs do not meet minimum housing codes. It is because they are not housing. It's temporary shelters."

Land-use hearing officer James Scarola will issue his recommendation by June 10. County commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote on the matter July 21.

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