Homeless Empowerment Program Sees Increased Need Post-Hurricane

Impact of Hurricanes

• 🌀 Hurricanes Helen and Milton have left many in the Tampa Bay area without safe, permanent housing nearly a year later.
• 🏠 Families like Jay Casharell Anderson Levi's experienced significant home damage, leading to displacement and difficult living situations.

Homeless Empowerment Program's Response

• 📞 The Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) has seen a consistent increase in calls for assistance, doubling from about 30 to 60 calls per month since the storms.
• 🏨 HEP has provided temporary solutions like hotel stays to help families get back on their feet while supplementing limited housing inventory.
• 💡 The organization is actively working to support families facing housing insecurity due to the storms.

Hurricane Preparedness and Future Plans

• 🛠️ HEP is updating its hurricane preparedness guide to ensure clients remain safe during the current season.
• 🏗️ The organization is also planning an expansion to accommodate a larger number of clients in the future.
• 🙏 Anderson Levi hopes others receive the same second chance and support that HEP provided her family.