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Note: I am specifically referring to plans to open a navigation center shelter in New Port Richey, FL, however the concepts I discuss also apply to other communities. Opening a homeless shelter will usually involve compromise. It may with the physical plant, funding levels, expected outcomes, or in this situation, the location. Building a shelter from scratch is challenging due to costs. So alternatives (usually re-tasking an existing building)  have to be evaluated. In this case, a vacant boys and girls club was chosen, creating the classic NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) response. This is common, almost expected, when there is a less-than-desirable-but-necessary

I recently spoke to the Municipal Association of Pasco (FL) with my thoughts on homelessness, and why now is the time to affect positive changes: Municipal Association of Pasco Remarks St. Leo, Florida – August 3, 2017 Good evening…my name is Daniel McDonald. I’m here tonight to talk about homelessness, and why it’s important, and why it’s important right now. About me: I’m originally from England I was awarded a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of South Florida (USF) in 2010 I’m a 25-year law enforcement veteran I can juggle I know Morse code I solve

I’ve been privy to some crazy ideas over the years about solving homelessness. The one that always get a chuckle was when I was asked if I owned a farm. And if I did, was I enslaving the homeless and forcing them to work against their will. And if it is true, did I have any room? Here is the text of the actual e-mail that I received: To: Daniel McDonald Subject: farm? Hi Dan, I hope this finds you well. I have the strangest question to ask you. One of my homeless friends was telling me that you personally own

Getting an ID or driver’s license from your local department of motor vehicles may tax your patience but the process is not usually difficult: you bring your birth certificate and social security card, then walk out several hours or days later with a new license or ID. Now imagine you’re homeless, trying to do this. You are hungry as you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. You have not showered in several days or a week. Your clothes are dirty as you can’t wash them. And you’re hearing voices telling you to kill yourself. When you get