“What’s Being Done About Homelessness—and How Can We Help?”
It’s one of the most common questions we hear:
“Why are there still so many people experiencing homelessness?”
“Why do I keep seeing the same people on the same street corners?”
“Is anyone actually helping?”
At Showering Love, we want to answer these questions—not just with empathy, but with truth, data, and action.
2024 Point in Time Count
What We Know About Homelessness
Homelessness isn’t caused by one issue—it’s the result of many. A broken system, rising housing costs, lack of mental health services, substance use challenges, domestic violence, loss of employment, lack of affordable housing, and trauma all contribute. The reasons are complex, deeply human, and often misunderstood.
Our CEO, Jeanne Albaugh, knows this struggle personally—she experienced homelessness herself for 10 years. Her journey fuels our mission every day and reminds us that every person living on the street is someone with a story worth hearing and a future worth fighting for.
In Florida, over 31,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024. Nearly 17,000 of them are unsheltered, meaning they sleep outside, in cars, or in places not meant for human habitation. Of that population, 27% are seniors, and more than 20% are chronically homeless—stuck in long-term cycles of homelessness and disability.
🧼 What We’ve Learned at Showering Love
At Showering Love, we operate mobile shower buses that serve people where they are—on the streets. We recently surveyed our guests to better understand their realities. Here’s what they told us:
70.2% hadn’t had a shower in 3–5 days
94.1% live on the streets; 3.8% live in their cars
93% need help with food stamps
90.8% are unemployed
91.1% aren’t receiving any assistance
53.5% need help getting an ID—an essential step to apply for jobs, housing, or benefits
97.8% are single and facing these hardships alone
These are not people who “don’t want help.” They are people navigating impossible challenges, often without anyone to turn to. This is not about lack of will—it’s about lack of access, support, and opportunity.
And above all, it’s about remembering this: people experiencing homelessness are not problems to be solved—they are people to be respected. They are doing their best to survive something most of us can’t imagine. They deserve dignity, compassion, and to be seen as equals—not judged for their struggle.
🤝 So… What Is Being Done?
Florida’s communities are working hard to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Shelters, mental health providers, food pantries, and outreach teams are collaborating like never before.
The average length of time someone spends in emergency shelter is going down (from 136 days in 2021 to 117 in 2023).
Programs are working to reduce returns to homelessness, which have stayed around 8–10%.
But still—many people fall through the cracks. And for those who are unsheltered and struggling with the basics of hygiene, dignity, and self-worth, a shower can be the first meaningful step toward change.
🚐 What Can You Do to Help?
We believe people want to help—they just don’t always know how.
Here’s how you can make a real difference:
✅ Support organizations like Showering Love. From fuel and maintenance to paying our small but mighty team, it takes a lot to operate our buses every week.
✅ Donate. Thanks to generous partners like Bombas and The Jim Moran Foundation, we’re able to provide fresh clothing, hygiene kits, and support services—but we still need help covering the essentials.
✅ Advocate and speak up. Talk about homelessness. Correct myths. Share what you know.
✅ Acknowledge people. As our CEO Jeanne Albaugh often says:
“If you see someone who is experiencing homelessness, smile. Look them in the eyes. Let them know they exist.”
A smile costs nothing, but its impact can be immeasurable. It tells someone who feels invisible: you matter.
✅ Start a fundraiser or collection drive.
We’ve put together a list of creative, hands-on ways you, your workplace, school, or community group can support our mission. Whether it’s with your family or your entire office—every action matters!
🎁 “How Can I Help?” Campaign Ideas:
Soul to Sole – Collect new or very gently used sneakers
Dime to Change – Fill up a water bottle (with our logo) with dimes—when full, that equals $100!
We Got Your Back – Collect new backpacks
(Don’t) Throw in the Towel! – Collect light-weight towels and wash cloths
Would You Give the Shirt Off Your Back? – Collect new men’s t-shirts (most requested: large/extra-large)
Let’s Sock it to Ending Homelessness – Collect men’s ankle and calf socks
Be the Light of Hope – Collect flashlights with batteries
We CAN Make a Difference – Organize a canned food drive
Change the World – Collect spare change! Make it fun, like a scavenger hunt
Spice of Life – Collect highly requested non-perishables like spices, cooking oils, pasta sauce, and boxed meals
Whether big or small, every action brings love, dignity, and hope to someone who truly needs it.
❤️ We’re Here. We’re Doing the Work. And We Need You.
Homelessness may not be solved overnight. But lives are being changed every single day. And with your help, we can keep going.
💛 Volunteer:
Join us on the ground. Help hand out towels, hygiene kits, and kindness.
👉 Sign up to volunteer.
