Thread: Charity, residents in flap over 'tent city'

Charity, residents in flap over 'tent city'
By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

A proposed "tent city" for homeless people is stirring emotions of supporters and opponents - Catholic Charities and residents of East Lake Park subdivision, respectively.

Catholic Charities wants to place about 250 temporary wooden shelters, or casitas, on 12 acres at 6410 E. Hillsborough Ave. The charity says residents would stay no more than 90 days and would receive help finding jobs and becoming independent.

Residents of East Lake Park, a neighborhood with 324 homes, say they worry about increases in panhandling and crime. In recent months they have met with Catholic Charities' representatives, but have not found common ground.

"We've asked them, 'Why this location?'" said East Lake Park resident Joanne O'Brien.

O'Brien said residents have seen more homeless people in the area since the charity declared its intentions, including some sleeping in a lot behind her house.

Charity officials say they are sensitive to neighbors' concerns, but there is a demonstrated need for homeless solutions such as the temporary tent city.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church's Web site, www.sacredheartfla.org, describes the project and encourages people to write and e-mail support, and attend the hearing. It also provides a link to the opponent's site, www.stoptentcity.com.

"We're going to present our view point as clearly as possible," said Catholic Charities' president Frank Murphy. "We think the issue of homelessness in Hillsborough needs to be addressed."

Charity officials say the tent city would be modeled on a seasonal tent city in Pinellas Park. Adults will be screened before moving into the shelters, which will be overseen by an on-site manager. They will share bathroom, dining, laundry and recreational facilities.

O'Brien said residents are skeptical about the promised security measures.

The Stop the Tent City group has been gathering petitions in opposition. It will meet at 7 p.m. today at East Lake Park's civic center, 7217 Kingsbury Circle.

GET INVOLVED

There's a public hearing on the issue at 6 p.m. May 19 in the Hillsborough County Commission chambers. The charity is asking to rezone the site, which has been owned by the Diocese of St. Petersburg since 1968. It once was used as a parish facility and still has an office and community building.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may...ty/news-metro/

Casitas? every city in the country has empty buildings that the catholic church could easily buy or rent cheap and fix up. Why build third world neiborhoods in america.

Originally Posted by Rebelrouser

Casitas? every city in the country has empty buildings that the catholic church could easily buy or rent cheap and fix up. Why build third world neiborhoods in america.

That's a great idea Rr. Why not put unemployed, homeless AMERICANS in abandoned homes with the provision that they "fix" them up in exchange for free rent? These could be city-owned or bank-owned homes. There are millions of them out there.

Since it is the Catholic Church doing this I am skeptical.Notice they say they will screen all adults,is that to make sure they are all IA's and not citizens ?

If this tent city is to keep IA's from self deporting and keeping them here until the economy improves I am Vehemently opposed.

If this tent city is for Citizens and screening will be done to prove citizenship then please do whatever you can to help.

Originally Posted by USPatriot

Since it is the Catholic Church doing this I am skeptical.Notice they say they will screen all adults,is that to make sure they are all IA's and not citizens ?

If this tent city is to keep IA's from self deporting and keeping them here until the economy improves I am Vehemently opposed.

If this tent city is for Citizens and screening will be done to prove citizenship then please do whatever you can to help.

You know darn well it's for illegals! The Church only cares about filling their coffers, and Americans are abondoning the Church left and right.

I am just afraid that if the church is successful in their little casita project, I have a feeling they will be trying this in cities across the US. And why the crap are they calling them casitas, except to give aid and abet the illegals? American homeless would understand shelters a lot quicker than figuring out what the pudding a casita is.