Homelessness & Hunger Relief

Homelessness and food insecurity are challenges that touch every community in Florida's 16th District. From Bradenton and Palmetto in Manatee County to Riverview and Gibsonton in Hillsborough County, families are struggling, and too many of our neighbors are going without a safe place to sleep or a reliable source of food. John Peters believes we can address these problems with compassion, accountability, and solutions that actually work.

Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Many of the people experiencing homelessness in our district are dealing with untreated mental health conditions or substance abuse. John Peters supports dramatically expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment services in communities like Brandon, Ruskin, and Wimauma. He believes that the most effective path out of homelessness is treatment that addresses root causes, not policies that simply move people from one location to another.

John supports federal funding for community-based mental health centers and residential treatment programs that provide comprehensive care, including job training and life skills development, so that individuals can rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.

Partnering with Local Organizations

Some of the most effective hunger relief and homelessness prevention programs in our district are run by local nonprofits, churches, and community organizations. Food banks and pantries in Bradenton, Ellenton, and Sun City Center are feeding thousands of families every month, often with limited resources. John Peters will fight for federal support that strengthens these local partnerships rather than replacing them with distant bureaucracies.

Workforce Training and Accountability

John Peters believes that the best long-term solution to homelessness is a good job. He supports expanding workforce training and job placement programs that connect people experiencing homelessness with employers in growing fields like construction, healthcare, and logistics. Communities like Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and Apollo Beach are experiencing rapid growth, creating demand for workers in skilled trades. By connecting people with these opportunities, we can break the cycle of homelessness while meeting the labor needs of our growing district.

At the same time, John insists on accountability. Taxpayer dollars must go to programs that produce measurable results. He supports tracking outcomes, sunsetting programs that fail, and investing in strategies that are proven to help people achieve lasting independence.