County is swamped with calls for aid

Pasco County officials say they seriously underestimated the demand for federal stimulus money intended to prevent homelessness, and they are being overwhelmed with calls for help.

The county distributed $1 million to Pasco County Human Services, the Pasco County Housing Authority and a host of nonprofit organizations. The money is intended to help people stay in their homes if they are in the process of being evicted or to assist those who are already homeless with rent and security deposits.

But some people who have called for help are being told that Human Services counselors won't be able to see them until December.

"We did not foresee the demand," the program's director, Eugene Williams, said. "Human Services is backed up for two months. We need volunteers to answer the phones. We're getting slammed with people who are behind on their rent or behind on their utility bills and want the government to bail them out."

Pasco County Human Services has already seen 50 people in two weeks, and there are only two counselors. The biggest problem is that most of the people who need assistance are not eligible to receive it.

"They have to have some income so they can maintain the housing after the grant runs out," Williams said.

The Human Services Department office in West Pasco is at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey, FL 34668. Its telephone number is 727-834-3297.

The Salvation Army received $50,000 to provide immediate, short-term housing assistance. The Homeless Coalition received $25,000. Williams said the agencies agreed to shift some of their funding for emergency assistance, such as motel vouchers, for the people who are in dire need.

"There's just not enough money for everyone," Williams said. "We have to choose the people who are the most needy - if a person is going to lose their living quarters or if a family is living in the Wal-Mart parking lot."

Families with children will go to the front of the line, which could leave little to no money for single adults.