Homelessness

More than a hundred people are now left without a place to shower, wash clothes and get out of the heat and a church has had to reduce services and hours as it works to address a code violation and neighborhood complaints.

The number of people on the precipice of homelessness across Sarasota and Manatee counties has risen by more than half during the past three years, driven by higher costs of living, according to data gathered by local homelessness organizations.

The unhoused in Sarasota hope on a daily basis to go unnoticed by anyone who may pose a threat in the middle of the night — or ask them to move. In Sarasota, and throughout Florida, that includes the police, because lodging outside on public property is illegal.

Immokalee’s only homeless shelter will close June 30 as St. Matthew’s House seeks another organization to take over Friendship House operations.

Point-in-Time surveys are conducted one day each year. The most recent annual count showed a 43% decrease in the number of homeless people counted in Collier County this year.

The numbers of unhoused military veterans has decreased significantly.

In 2019 married couple John and Kelley Doran fed the homeless at 3 a.m. from their hot dog truck in Bradenton. Since then, their passion for helping those in need has turned into a nonprofit organization called Hands & Feet Outreach Ministry in Port Charlotte with their efforts changing many lives.

There are over 28,000 Floridians experiencing homelessness. That number comes from the 2025 Point-in-Time, or PIT, Count conducted by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

St. Matthew's House residents are featured in an exhibit of portraits titled "Faces Beyond Homelessness." Artist Wendy Wagner of Naples used chalk, charcoal and graphite to illustrate 10 current or former residents.

Homeless advocates are having a tough time getting the unhoused to participate in the annual homeless count