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Sarasota News Leader December 20, 2013 Page 37 still in the exploratory phase. Applebee said the Gulfcoast Community Foundation "has taken the lead" on a South County "entry portal." The shelters would be open 24/7 but able to serve as housing only for a short period, days at best. Clients would then be referred to other housing units operating under this system. Another Marbut recommendation would unify city and county ordinances used to regulate behavior and often applied to homeless and vagrant people. Applebee is asking representatives of the five relevant jurisdictions to meet next month for a kick-off discussion of that element of the Marbut plan. He is also asking a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union to participate. However, The most contentious issue is placement of many of the proposed new regulations cannot a 200-bed (or more) homeless shelter in the be enforced until a shelter is in full operation. City of Sarasota. City and county staffers met Applebee admitted the most intractable Wednesday morning to discuss hiring a firm problem will be affordable housing. Once for environmental studies of the top three rehabilitated and employed, the formerly sites recommended by Marbut. Applebee said homeless still have to find places to live. the studies would take six to eight weeks to Sarasota has already gone through one pubcomplete. "This will help identify a site we lic drama over affordable housing; that took place before the property bubble burst. And might be interested in," he added. even now, with property values down signifiA protocol needs to be developed for public cantly, it is still difficult for people earning safety in and around the proposed shelter, low wages to find homes. said Applebee. "It might be run like the court- "Affordable housing," said Applebee, "is the house, with the Sheriff's Office responsible piece that holds the other 11 together. We for the inside and the city police responsible need to work on affordable housing. Marbut heard this everywhere he went." % for the outside," he said. In late summer, a group of homeless people gathered under shade trees near City Hall in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel