Opening Doors returns call

Opening Doors Executive Director John Johnson said he learned of the eviction of the homeless population at Jones Swamp on Monday morning. He admitted fulfilling the mission of Opening Doors is extremely challenging in a region where the homeless population is six times the number of beds available at shelters. The organization spent over $4 million on program services in 2021 according to the last tax form on its website.

“As far as what we’re doing is something we’ve been doing, which is with the limited funds we do receive from state, we take those dollars and support our local shelters,” Johnson said. “It’s all about funding. We have very limited funding.”

Johnson said the unemployment rate is extremely low in the county, but employee salaries pale in comparison to the cost of living. In September, the median listing home price in the county neared $350,000 and the median home sold for $300K according to Realtor.com. Renters feel the economic strain, too. According to the University of Florida Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, 28% of renters pay over 40% of their income for rent in the county.

“We lost 300 units in 2022 because landlords and property owners have gone up on their rates,” Johnson said. “We are losing a lot of units and a lot of families are being asked to leave. We’re trying to plug a dike with people facing eviction, as well as helping people on the streets.”