One of South Florida's largest homeless shelters fears it may have to slash several services in as soon as 60 days, as some Broward cities make it harder for them to raise funds.
"We can't operate an emergency-level shelter without the paper," said Sean Cononie, a homeless advocate and founder of the Homeless Voice.
For years, the Homeless Voice has sold its newspapers in high-traffic areas throughout Broward County; but now, it says, several cities are aiming to crack down on the sale, with some determining it's too dangerous for vendors to sell papers at busy intersections.
Cononie said the Homeless Voice revenue helps cover the cost of food, shelter and social services for more than 400 men, women and children in need.
Glen Sadlofsky, a father of 10 and 9-year-old boys, is grateful the shelter was there when his family needed it about six weeks ago.
"We literally would be on the street if wasn't for Sean and the shelter," Sadlofsky said. "I'm a single dad. I'm in sales. I've always worked, but sales have been terrible. I became homeless with my children."
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But by the new year, they could be homeless again. With less money coming in from paper sales and few streams of outside support, Cononie said his agency may have to make drastic cuts in the new year. That would leave emergency shelter and medical services, that he says several cities rely on, in limbo.
"We've been taking the people no one wants. We're basically the dumping ground for Broward County," he said.
To continue, Cononie said he needs sustained financial support from Broward cities and hospitals, without it, he said tough choices will be made in 2014.
