TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative will conduct its annual count of the homeless and with inflation and rent becoming more expensive, the number of people living on the street is expected to increase.

While there may not be large homeless camps in the Tampa area, that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Every night, dozens of individuals sleep on the streets near downtown. Yet, what’s visible is only a small portion of the growing homeless population.

What You Need To Know

  • THHI will begin its annual count of the homeless population Thursday

  • The homeless count is required by law annually 

  • Recent years have seen rising numbers of homeless 

  • Volunteers will not only work to conduct a count, but also provide resources to those seeking help

At the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI), workers are busy preparing for this year’s homeless count.

They’re looking for those living in their cars, staying in shelters or bouncing from home to home just to get by.

For eight years, Sergio Santiago has been with THHI and knows that the annual homeless count is more than just a number tally.

“We focus on getting people into shelter beds as quickly as possible,” says Sergio Santiago, Data Systems Coordinator at THHI. “We work with families, including those with children. If no beds are available, we direct them to designated access points, where a triage system can determine their needs and help them find a path to stable housing.”

How You Can Help:

Want to contribute? The community is encouraged to volunteer or donate to support the homeless count.

Find more details on the THHI website.