Programs to help the homeless are working but much needs to be done, conference is told

Fledgling programs to move Broward’s homeless people off the streets are succeeding, but a lot more money and housing will be needed, community leaders said Tuesday.

Fort Lauderdale commissioners took stock Tuesday of efforts to solve homelessness. After years of bungled efforts that led to international notoriety, the city switched gears and is cooperating with nonprofits, the business community, the county and the courts on a housing-first approach.

The programs began in earnest when Broward County in November shut down a persistent homeless encampment in the center of downtown, moving dozens of people from the camp to local hotels. As of Feb. 7, all but seven of them were under roofs: 70 were in permanent housing, three were still in hotels, three were reunited with families and seven dropped out of the program, according to a city memo.

Like other communities with large populations of homeless people, Broward has struggled to find the right approach. The difficulties were evident Tuesday, when official success stories were interrupted by an actual homeless man’s testimony.

Mayor Dean Trantalis congratulated Palm, and connected him with the county’s top official on homelessness, who was present at the meeting.

To house and help one homeless person costs $18,000 a year, United Way CEO Kathleen Cannon said Tuesday. And there are about 2,300 more homeless people countywide who need help. The idea, she said, is to help the person become self-sustaining during that year. There’s some money available now, but it will run out, she said.

“Philanthropy is what’s going to get us to the next step,” Cannon said, “so that we’re not returning to this in five or 10 years.”

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