In 2007, police in St. Petersburg, Florida slashed tents as their former occupants watched in horror. In response to this horrible incident, a government-approved tent city called Pinellas Hope was created.[youtube.com/watch?v=LrPdZmPB36U]

Although the regulation of tent cities is a strategy often supported by homeless advocates, the approach is not immune to challenges.
Pinellas Hope Tent City's COO Sheila Lopez told me in a recent interview [ustream.tv/recorded/1972856] that times are tough for Pinellas Hope and funding may dry up in the very near future.

Darryl is a resident of Pinellas Hope. He has left the community three times looking for work, but always without luck. He says he is grateful that Pinellas Hope is always there to take him back in; he knows he needs the community support to get off the streets.

Very special thanks to Shelia Lopez and Pinellas Hope [pinellashope.org] and to Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless [pinellashomeless.org]


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