Anyone Watch 60-Minutes on Sunday?

[Crockett]

Something just blew my mind this past weekend during an episode of 60-Minutes. It was mentioned that 1/3 of all homeless families in America are in the Central Fla area. It was also said how that area is one of the worst in the country for job prospects.

Really? I just don't see how this is possible considering:

1). Central Fla is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the globe, reeling in $$$ from every continent year-round.

2). The area contains 2 of Fla's biggest employers- WDW, and The Villages near Ocala. Then throw in Universal, Sea World, and any hotel/motel chain under the sun. Not to mention Time Share, retail, dining, and all of the above which do NOT sit on WDW, Uni, Sea, and other more well-known hot spots. Then you have all the industries which do not even rely on tourism.

3). Growth in the area, and expected growth in the future. WWoHP, FLE, Avatarland, LegoLand. New hotels/resorts sprouting up. And wasn't it announced this past summer that the area received business from record turnouts of Tour Groups?

I would understand if Orlando was only a seasonal, after-thought type of tourist town, which it certainly is not. But looking at what the area is, how the area is growing, I just don't see how the jobs and economy could be suffering as suggested, considering the $$$ that is feeding in. I do not mind whipping out my hard-earned cash for a family vacation, but I'd like to think what I'm shelling outta my wallet is helping local economies that we are patronizing.

One gentleman being interviewed said he had never been so grateful to get a job collecting garbage. His statement would have made more sense had he lived in middle-of-nowhere'sville with only a handful of businesses. But being 7-miles from Kissimmee?? Am I missing something? :shrug:

 

[Jakester]

Just because its Orlando doesn't mean everyone is living the good life, most people struggle just like anywhere else.
I live in Orlando, over by University of Central Florida (Literally, like 5minutes away).
Just becasue The Disney Company, Universal, Seaworld, and multiple Hotel chains are in the area, doesn't mean that everyone is always happy, Heck, most people who live here rarely vist any of the parks.

 

[mickeysshoes]

You should see the homeless population in Hawaii...if you think Florida is bad

 

[menamechris]

The homeless situation is terrible in Central Florida right now. And no, it is not people being lazy. Just because we are a tourist desination doesn't mean that there are enough jobs for everyone - in fact, people get laid off quite often even when they do have the job. Add that to the fact that anywhere in the attractions area requires a significant drive from most areas in Central Florida. If you are down on your luck, just the commute back and forth alone could kill your wallet. And if you don't have a car - forget about it.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I would understand if Orlando was only a seasonal

While it is not as seasonal like the beaches in NJ and other places, WDW and the other theme parks do have seasonal highs and lows over the course of the year - and they adjust their workforce accordingly.

 

[captainkidd]

This is sad to hear and worrisome. Our plan is to move to the area once our oldest graduates high school (not for 6 more years). Right now, I could go and work for my company from my house, but who knows what things will be like in 6 years. Besides all the attractions, I just find the area to be beautiful, well kept and full of things to do.

 

[The Mom]

There are also a lot of people who come without a job lined up and little financial means, thinking that it is somehow cheaper and better (climate) to live in FL. They then become homeless when what little money they brought runs out before they can find work, and it's pretty difficult to find a job if you don't have an address, access to basic hygiene, etc.

 

[Master Yoda]

While tourism is the biggest business in central Florida it is not the only business. When the housing bubble burst construction in central Florida came to a grinding halt. When that happened many jobs evaporated almost overnight. In 2006 we had 11 engineers on staff most of which were working 60-80 hours a week. We are now down to 3 and lucky to pull 32-40.

 

[Monty]

Homelessness is usually higher where it's warmer... Why freeze to death in NYC in winter when it's warm in Florida, California or Hawaii? So people go where they're more likely to survive, thus exacerbating an already overburdened local economy.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Homelessness is usually higher where it's warmer... Why freeze to death in NYC in winter when it's warm in Florida, California or Hawaii? So people go where they're more likely to survive, thus exacerbating an already overburdened local economy.

When we were in Hawaii with Adventurs by Dinsey on a tour we were told that CA use to pay their homeless and give the a one way plane ticket to Hawaii to get them out of CA...and that is how it got so bad in Hawaii.

 

[rsoxguy]

In one recent survey, Orlando is highly ranked as a "depressing" city. http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/frown-towns
There are far more variables beyond the tourism industry that comprise the economic outlook of a particular region. Someone working for comparatively low wages, whether at a theme park or a convenience store, is not going to succeed in an economically challenging environment. Rent, utilities, insurance, and basic necessities all add up to a financial demand that is higher than the level of wages earned by some within the tourism industry. Central Florida requires construction, manufacturing, technology, and higher wage professional jobs in order to make it a sustainable living environment for all. The tourism industry can not keep the engine going alone.

 

[Lucky]

However serious the problem is, the claim that one third of all homeless families in the US live in Central Florida is totally false, like a lot of numbers you hear thrown around in the media.

 

[Master Yoda]

However serious the problem is, the claim that one third of all homeless families in the US live in Central Florida is totally false, like a lot of numbers you hear thrown around in the media.

I would agree. Depending on whose statistics and definitions you use the number of homeless people in the US ranges from just under a million to 3.5 million. Given that the population for central Florida is between 3.5-4 million, I have a hard time believing that nearly 1/3 of that population could be homeless.

 

[bgraham34]

I would agree. Depending on whose statistics and definitions you use the number of homeless people in the US ranges from just under a million to 3.5 million. Given that the population for central Florida is between 3.5-4 million, I have a hard time believing that nearly 1/3 of that population could be homeless.

There is no way it could be that many. Unless they take into account those people who moved in with family or friends, but then technically they are not homeless. 1 million homeless people are not hard to miss. It seems more likely that 1 million people lost their homes and are living with friends or family.

 

[fosse76]

However serious the problem is, the claim that one third of all homeless families in the US live in Central Florida is totally false, like a lot of numbers you hear thrown around in the media.

And I assume you have data to back that up?

 

[Mickey_777]

However serious the problem is, the claim that one third of all homeless families in the US live in Central Florida is totally false, like a lot of numbers you hear thrown around in the media.

I would agree. Depending on whose statistics and definitions you use the number of homeless people in the US ranges from just under a million to 3.5 million. Given that the population for central Florida is between 3.5-4 million, I have a hard time believing that nearly 1/3 of that population could be homeless.

Yup. I think this was basically what the OP was trying to say. There's no doubt C.Florida has it's share of homeless but 1/3 of all that are in America? I've only ever encountered one gentleman asking for help near a gas station between LBV and Kissimmee. If the figure of 1/3 was even somewhat accurate, I'd think you would see more asking for change near the major tourist/commercial areas although they'd probably be kicked out. It's unfortunate though. Gotta feel for everybody struggling right now.

 

[Master Yoda]

There is no way it could be that many. Unless they take into account those people who moved in with family or friends, but then technically they are not homeless. 1 million homeless people are not hard to miss. It seems more likely that 1 million people lost their homes and are living with friends or family.

Like I said it depends on your definition of homeless. If you define it as an adult not in school and not paying for lodging then the number of homeless can skyrocket to extreme numbers. If you define it as simply living on the street then the number gets comparatively quite small. The reality likely lies somewhere in between.

 

[Alektronic]

I saw on the local news that many families are living in motels because it is cheaper than renting and they had to adjust some school bus routes to pick up the kids. So I guess they consider all the families living in motels "homeless" also?

 

[Lucky]

And I assume you have data to back that up?

Of course. This is the most recent authoritative report, and it shows that all of Florida accounts for under 10% of homeless people in the USA.

http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/3668

Measuring homelessness is not like measuring unemployment, where the federal government produces reliable estimates from large, scientific monthly surveys. (We were one of the 150,000 or so households randomly chosen for that survey last year.)

But there's no evidence to support the claim that one third of homeless Americans are in central Florida.

 

[Tom Morrow]

There seems to be a growing number of articles like this that try to slander central Florida for whatever reason, and I just don't understand it.

Yeah, its not great, but there are SO MANY far, FAR worse places to live in this country than here. And while it may not be the ideal town for someone looking to become rich, there is hardly a shortage of jobs here.