Pasco Hope | A mini community pops up for the displaced

HOPE-lede1024 — Workers with Catholic Charities help to make these tiny pallet house a temporary home for local residents who have been displaced by the recent storms. The process of escavating, laying infrastructure and setting up the Pasco Hope has taken about three weeks. Placements are expected to start October 28 - 30. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

October, 25, 2024

BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey

When time is of the essence, when push comes to shove, well things can happen in a greater good kind of way.

That’s the most recent twist in the story of Pasco Hope, a temporary housing community in Holiday that’s been under rapid excavation under Pasco’s Local State of Emergency and is expected to start welcoming residents displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton sometime between October 28-30.

It’s a necessary albeit temporary pivot for a project initially conjured months ago to address the growing needs of those experiencing homelessness in Pasco County.

In July 2024 Pasco County Public Services purchased the 2.18-acre site of a former assisted living facility at 2654 Grand Boulevard for $775,000 for the purpose of providing shelter and services similar to Catholic Charities Tampa Hope which opened in December 2021.

Just weeks ago county officials were prepping the bidding process for running Pasco Hope, said Assistant County Administrator of Public Services, Cathy Pearson at a media event on Thursday, October 24.

Then Hurricane Helene hit. Then Milton.

Push came to shove.

By several accounts, the building of Pasco Hope happened in record time fueled by a partnership between Pasco County and Catholic Charities and firmed up by the cohesive efforts of the county commission and county departments working to fill an urgent need.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our county,” Pearson said during a media event on October 24 as infrastructure work continued in the trenches and amenities were being placed in the 50 pallet homes that had been purchased by the county.

On Thursday, October 29, Iliana Vasquez and Aaleigha Alexander unwrap mattresses for pallet houses at Pasco Hope in Holiday. The mini-community will provide temporary housing for those who have been displaced due to the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

On the punch list was getting permanent power to the county’s pallet homes and the 25 RVs on site that had been donated by the state that were presently running on generators. Add to that the comfort and kitchen stations that will suffice for the time being while the county prices out permanent facilities for those services.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Pallet Emergency Manager lead, Darnell Head, who oversaw the 10 person crew that unloaded and set up the 50 pallet houses on the property.

“They worked so hard and so fast. Within 24 hours everything was ready for development for us – trenching for the waterlines, power, and sewage. They laid the gravel. They removed the trees and debris and that just doesn’t happen.”

County workers get to the business of laying power lines and other infrastructure at Pasco Hope, a temporary housing community in Holiday for residents displaced because of the recent hurricanes.
PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

“It is akin to a small bed down situation,” said County Administrator, Mike Carabella, an Air Force veteran who knows well the military term that refers to the process of setting up rapid support stations.

All made possible by the combination of departments and competent workers coming together in tough circumstances beyond the day-to-day services typically provided, he said.

“They’re in the trenches. They’re laying the waterlines. The sewer lines are getting in. The power is coming in. They see the impact of their work. They know they are helping people displaced in the storms. I think it means a lot.”

“This has been one of the most rewarding projects I’ve experienced in county government,” said Jeff Brockman, Director of Utilities Operations & Maintenance, as he pointed out some of the work being done.

“To watch our team come together like this has melted my heart.”

Catholic Charities, which oversees the county’s family shelter on Youth Lane in Port Richey, will also oversee the running of Pasco Hope.

Housing will be free to individuals and will first address the needs of Pasco residents already living in shelters and hotels who have been displaced from their homes, Pearson said, noting that presently there are about 130 displaced people living in shelters and case managers are identifying about 50 to 60 residents who could qualify.

With so many people affected including many seniors living in mobile homes, and a shortage of hotels, the need is real, Pearson said.

The shelter is pet friendly with determination on a case-by-case basis.

Catholic Charities will provide basic necessities – food water, toiletries, bedding – along with case management services, mental health counseling, medical support, computer access and community activities.

The opening the Pasco Hope location in Holiday will also allow for expanding the family shelter in Port Richey which is set to start in November, Pearson said.

Eventually Pasco Hope will pivot back to its initial, intended purpose – to create a dignified space for those experiencing homelessness so they can start the most important part of recovery – a stable place to stay while the access the ensuing services that can lift them up and out.

“This is what we’re doing for now,” Carabella said. “But when this goes to (serving) the homeless I think we’ll be ready for it.”