ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — Florida is receiving $1.5 million in fedeal funding to provide housing assistance for veterans.

Housing authorities in St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Citrus County will receive the money to support homeless veterans. 

Under the HUD-VASH program, veterans are eligible for rental assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

According to HUD, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness fell by 11% since early 2020. The biggest decline in more than five years.

However, Southeast Regional Administrator Jose Alvarez said Florida’s current housing crisis creates more of a challenge.

“Alot of those people they work for living," he said. "They just don’t make enough to be able to afford the rental market. Our job is to make sure to continue to help those that are in need," said Alvarez.

Robert Hutchins has been homeless for two years and admits he’s at his lowest point. 

He says he hasn’t always sought help until now.

“I don’t know. It’s the way I was brought up,” he said. “My dad said if you can’t do for yourself, don’t do it at all.” 

At 63-years-old, the Navy veteran earns his keep by working at a St. Petersburg fast-food chain. 

He’s lived at several shelters over the years, but ultimately wants a place to call his own. 

“I’m able to work and I’m able to make a living. Today, you can’t afford $1800 for a studio apartment, it’s ridiculous,” he said.

Hutchins is part of the homeless veteran population that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veteran Affairs are targeting.

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority was granted more than $445,000 through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The assistance combines rental assistance from hud with case management and clinical services provided by the VA.

“We have 129 veterans that we are working with right now, but we have significantly more veterans that are unsheltered,” said Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County CEO Dr. Monika Alesnik. 

Her organization ran a survey on overall homelessness within the County. 

The study from 2018 to 2022 found that St. Petersburg accounted for 46.3% of the Pinellas County homeless population. 

“In Pinellas, we are the second highest in homeless veterans, unsheltered veterans in the country,” said Dr. Alesnik. “Part of that is because of the huge number of Veterans we have.”

With the ongoing housing crisis and higher rent, Alesnik said her office is getting more requests for help. 

Hutchins says he plans to take advantage of the resources. 

“My hope for my future is just to get back on my feet, get my own place and do what I like to do,” said Hutchins. “My main thing I like to do is lawn service. I’m just down and out. I’m not dead. I’m just there. Just trying to make it.”

Hutchins is staying positive and making the most out of a circumstance he believes is only temporary.

Thursday, the Homeless Leadership Alliance is conducting a homeless census for their ‘Point In Time’ survey. Volunteers will be visiting homeless hotspots in Pinellas County from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Their first stop will be the Boley Center.