Florence Police program making difference for homeless population

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Florence Police Department created a program in April to help the homeless get back on their feet.

Government IDs are necessary to get government assistance, a job, rent a place to stay – and much more. Not having access to one can make it that much harder for those who experience homelessness to better their situation.

Brandon Lindsey, director of homeless contact at Florence Police Department, says the first thing he and his team did was see where they needed to start.

“The number one thing no one had was an ID, starting with an ID, you start with an ID then you can go to job placement, I don’t think you can hire in Alabama without an ID,” Lindsey said.

That’s where “CLIP” comes in. The acronym stands for Community Lauderdale I.D. Program.
The program started in April and is finding success quickly.

“I ask them why they need the ID, if they need it, then I send them to community action where they take over – the good part is, when they get to community action there are lots of programs that can help with parenting, job placements and just things to get them back into society,” Lindsey said.

The homeless population has been growing in Florence – according to Florence Police, over 200 people were living in the Shoals without a home, and that number is growing every day – but Lindsey says CLIP is already making a big difference.

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“We’ve roughly helped or made contact with 50 people, sent them down for the whole process, with the program, they’ll get an ID, birth certificate and social security card,” he said.

Through the program, 26 people have gotten a license and six have gotten housing.
Lindsey says while this help goes a long way, compassion can make all the difference.

“Don’t judge people, try not to judge, you don’t know what they’re going through, you don’t know their story,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey tells me if you know anyone who could use this program, call the Florence Police Department at 256-760-6500 .

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