Hannah’s House reports high Hardee utilization, asks for repair funds as state request awaits governor

Anita Rogers, speaking for Alpha Omega Freedom Ministries on behalf of Hannah’s House, told commissioners that Hardee County residents account for most shelter use and that the program frequently lacks space for newly referred survivors.

“Hardee County residents were at 83% capacity,” Rogers said, and she described turning away roughly three Hardee callers each day when the shelter is full. Rogers said the shelter operates 17 transitional apartments and provides counseling, education and case management to move clients toward stable housing. She described recent community fundraising of about $20,000 for a new van and said the organization also has two contractor quotes to repair electrical junction boxes in its transitional apartments.

Rogers said the organization has sought state appropriations and that a larger request had passed the House and Senate and was awaiting the governor’s action; she added the group would return with a specific accounting for a local $10,000 request tied to the county grant process. Commissioners asked whether the $574,213 figure the presenter mentioned covered capital and operating needs; Rogers said part of that sum was capital and part was operations and that she would detail allocations if the state funds materialize.

Commissioners praised the shelter’s role and asked staff to consider the request in the upcoming grant-scoring and budget workshop cycles. Rogers closed by describing partner relationships, volunteer supports and the shelter’s policy to coordinate placements when the in‑house beds are at capacity.