Nearly 800 local homeless people showed up to the Bo Diddley Community Plaza Thursday morning for the 11th Annual Breakfast on the Plaza and Homeless Service Fair.
The fair, sponsored by the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry, provided free services including ID cards, health screenings, haircuts and bicycle repairs.
Coalition director Jon DeCarmine said the fair, which featured about 25 organizations, was especially helpful to those new to the streets.
Alachua's homeless population has increased by 70 percent over the past two years to nearly 1,600.
Unfortunately, the coalition's funding has decreased, DeCarmine said.
"We're running on 20 percent of last year's budget. This is a real stripped down and bare-bones version of the fair," DeCarmine said, though the most important services were still available this year.
Volunteers served an 8 a.m. breakfast to 550 people, and more than 90 identification cards were re-issued.
Jonah Ralls, who has been homeless for the past year, said he came mainly for the hygiene products.
Ralls has been living at the St. Francis House, a local homeless shelter, and heard about the services through friends.
"I was scared to death. I'm 55 and have no income," Ralls said about losing his business and moving to the streets.
One organization at the fair offered free legal consultation.
Daniel Kahn, a lawyer for Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc., helps the homeless with legal issues involving income and assets, contracts, and disability.
Kahn believes Gaineville's active homelessness advocacy is due to its "passionate and progressive social sentiments combined with its strong emphasis on economic growth."
Michelle Zukarfein has been homeless for many years and said the fair's services are helpful, but they won't solve Gainesville's homeless problem.
"The city's main problem, however, is affordable housing," Zukarfein said.
Most advocates and fairgoers echoed her concern - the city's shelters only offer 400 beds to accommodate the 1,600 homeless.
"We are trying to solve a national issue with a local budget," DeCarmine said.
