Tampa Bay Shelters Need Volunteers
Cold weather shelters across the Tampa Bay area are seeking volunteers as temperatures drop. The shelters provide vital warmth and safety for the region's homeless population, with demand for services expected to rise.
- Shelters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are activated when the National Weather Service forecasts the "feels like" temperature will be 40 degrees or lower for at least two consecutive hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. - In 2023, there were an estimated 1,600 homeless individuals in Tampa and 2,144 in the St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo area of Pinellas County. - The Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas coordinates "pop-up" shelters in non-traditional locations like local churches and community centers in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, and St. Petersburg. - To facilitate access, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides fare-free bus transportation to and from the shelters on nights they are activated. - For families with children who need shelter, Metropolitan Ministries in Hillsborough County offers a limited number of motel vouchers, which require pre-registration. - Shelter locations are spread across the region and have included organizations like The Portico and Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, the Boys & Girls Club in Tarpon Springs, and Shady Hills Mission Chapel in Pasco County. - The number of families experiencing homelessness in Hillsborough County saw a 21 percent increase since 2020, a trend influenced by rising housing costs.
