In a guest column, the departing chairman of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness says the "perfect world" where we could find adequate housing for all is far away, but his organization has worked to stem the spread of the pandemic and fight long-term homelessness.
According to statistics, 96 people were counted as homeless in 2021, a decrease from 178 in 2020. Author: Robert Bradfield Updated: 11:32 PM EST February 15, 2021
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. A decrease in the count of homeless people in Putnam County may not been seen as a positive for homeless advocates who say the official count is under-reported because of COVID-19.
Lori Shaw, of the Putnam County Homeless Coalition, said 96 people were officially categorized as living on the streets in 2021, which is a drop from the 178 who were counted last year.
Shaw believes the decrease may be because more homeless people are going deeper into the woods so they are not counted or some may have been taken in by family members during the state s shutdown last year.