Homeless Problem Addressed

Political leaders, agency workers and the homeless themselves, joined together Friday, plotting ways to end homelessness in Palm Beach County, including building a new shelter.

 At the third annual Palm Beach County Homeless Symposium at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, several people who are homeless, shared their stories.

 20-year old Bobbi Campbell says her family basically disowned her.  She's lived the past two years at Westgate Tabernacle, a church near West Palm Beach, which has opened its doors to the homeless.

 "We're not sad the way we are," said Campbell.  "I mean we became so close and so much of a family."  "It's about people, people that's hurting," added James Graham, another Westgate resident.

 Right now many homeless end up at Westgate Tabernacle, since other options in the County are limited.  But Westgate's facilities are not adequate.

 County Commissioner Jeff Koons gave the symposium's closing address.  He emphasized cooperation among agencies.  He said this summer commissioners will approve a comprehensive 10 year program.  The plan includes building a new resource center or shelter.  Where and exactly when it would be built, though, are still up in the air.

 "One of the priorities, we believe, for our community is to identify that location; we have some in mind," said Rita Clark, executive director of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.  "We'd like to have that taken care of no later than 2009.  We cannot wait."

 Also weighing in at the symposium:  Michael Stoops, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, based in Washington, D.C.  Stoops challenged the County to stop talking and start building.  He said, "They've been talking about this for a long time.  10 year plans are great, but homeless people need help tonight."  Stoops held up as examples, shelters built in recent years by Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

 More than 100 people attended the symposium, twice last year's attendance.