Johnna Coleman of Big Bend Continuum of Care

The nation’s annual survey of homelessness will take place during the last full week of January. That’s when local social service agencies like the Big Bend Continuum of Care, fan out into communities to take stock of who is unsheltered.

The Big Bend is getting cold weather, and temperatures have dropped low enough in Tallahassee to pose a danger to those who are unhoused.

Local governments can no longer allow people to sleep in streets, public buildings or public rights of way

Shelters are already seeing an influx of new clients, and facing the stark reality that more will be coming

The signs urge the public to donate to service providers rather than giving directly to panhandlers.

Commissioners are hoping to leverage a partnership with the City of Tallahassee and the Big Bend Continuum of Care to continue programs such as street outreach and permanent supportive housing