Pasco County leaders weigh options to find housing for the homeless

Local leaders are tackling a growing problem in Pasco County, finding shelter for people experiencing homelessness. On Monday, one non-profit in the community stepped up. Metropolitan Ministries broke ground on a new development, including housing, a new early learning childhood education center, and a family support center. Along for the journey was Ryan Clarke. Metropolitan Ministries is important to Clarke. When he was homeless, the group became his saving grace. "So it all started in 2016. I had a good job, we had a nice little place to stay. There was a flood; it wasn't even supposed to be a flood. They called it the No Name Storm in 2016 that covered Baton Rogue. Couple of events happen; my job market dried up, I lost my job. My wife lost her vision, I was a caretaker with three children. A little bit stuck. So me and my 18-month-old drove out here. And I was staying with my mom. And she got me in touch with Metropolitan Ministries. I didn't want to stay with my mom. I'm too old for that," Clarke said. Watching the groundbreaking brought up a well of emotions for Clarke and reminded of the help he received.