'It’s about survival' - How volunteers are helping protect homeless from heatwave - Gainesville Times

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'It’s about survival' - How volunteers are helping protect homeless from heatwave

Homeless man Tom Lavigne carries items back to his camp Thursday, June 16, 2022, including extra water. Local volunteer Christen Lott Hunte, who works with area homeless, gathered water and other items to distribute to the encampment. - photo by Scott Rogers

06172022 HEAThomeless 5.jpg — Homeless man Tom Lavigne carries items back to his camp Thursday, June 16, 2022, including extra water. Local volunteer Christen Lott Hunte, who works with area homeless, gathered water and other items to distribute to the encampment. - photo by Scott Rogers

The scorching summer heat has turned Gainesville into a “hell on Earth” for the hundreds of homeless folks who live here, said Mike Fisher, the housing manager for Ninth District Opportunity.