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in the community, such as Richard Stark, Jacelyn Brock, Harry Walker, and another dozen or so. They used their experience and dedication, contributed their own personal cash, and obtained pledges from various organizations and foundations. The Coalition has not yet closed on the building on 4' Street (I ibiscus Manor); they have a contract on it and it will be purchased entirely with private money. They have gone more than the first step; they have taken several steps and made personal commitments. He felt the concerns which have been pointed out were not really significant. The HUD office in Jacksonville has already seen the application and they have no problems. The State Coalition for the Homeless has hired the grant writer to make presentations all over the state. The quality of her work and the comprehensive nature of the grant application she has written is considered outstanding. Chairman Adams believed that no one was questioning the heart and soul and reasons behind the HUD application. She felt the effort and money put forth was, without question, very commendable. The Task Force they set up was charged with looking at the problem, finding solutions, and bringing those back to the Commission. The Task Force, in their exuberance, has gotten started on things they wanted to see done, i.e. the numerous grant requests and other things. Last year, during the budget process concerning the Coalition for the Homeless and the Task Force, the Commissioners wanted Commissioner Macht to get everyone together, use his judgement on the membership, look at the problem, and bring back to the Commission a program to fix the problem. Part of it lies before the Board today, but we have not seen anything to show how it all fits together and that is where the confusion lies with all the different entities playing into it. It has become extremely complicated. She felt Commissioner Stanbridge's concern, based on her grant application experience, was looking for a continuity in the HUD application. Seeking the non-profit status was timely and it was necessary to have an entity, without question. The Board needs to make sure that everyone understands because it is moving very quickly. There are a lot of things being said, there r are a lot of players, and everyone needs to understand what will be expected. Commissioner Tippin thought the intent was important and sometimes we have to trust folks. It may not be perfect and mistakes might be made, but he thought an awful lot has been done and July 18, 2000 84