211 is a free three-digit phone number set aside by the Federal Communications Commission to connect individuals and families in need with the appropriate health, human and social service organizations in their community. The data from 211 calls provides a glimpse into the most immediate and pressing concerns that families have as a result of the pandemic. In recent weeks, calls to 211 have increased to an average of nearly 5,800 calls per week. This is a 24.1% increase over the period immediately preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the enactment of social distancing and safer-at-home directives necessary to combat the spread of disease.

Calls specifically related to COVID-19, which accounted for only four calls in the week ending March 7, peaked at 533 calls during the week ending March 28, and have since begun to decline. However, concerns related to effects of the pandemic – centered around financial resources and basic food and housing needs – have remained elevated, particularly during the five-week period of March 15 through April 18.
 
Looking at this segment of calls, we can see that Housing/Utilities calls have totaled nearly 13,000 (or 42.6% of all calls received) in the past five weeks. Of this total, nearly half the calls (44%) were for rent and mortgage assistance, followed by shelters (13%) and low-cost housing (9%).
 
During this same period, Food issues have been the focus of more than 3,400 calls (or 11.2% of all calls received). Of these calls, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) were inquiries about food pantries. An additional 9% of calls expressed the need for assistance with buying food.
 
Employment/Income calls have totaled more than 1,900 (or 6.3% of all calls received) since March 15. Of these calls, nearly one-third (31%) were for general financial assistance, followed by re-employment assistance (23%) and help with job searches (19%).

According to Google Trends, searches for “coronavirus test near me” is trending nationwide. The chart above shows how this search has trended in Florida between March 1 and April 15, 2020.
 
Florida crossed the milestone of 100 cases on March 15, marking the moment when residents moved to a period of heightened alert and concern, which remained high as the cases and deaths increased substantially. During the first week of April, new cases declined day-over-day for the first time, and the downward level of searches mirrors this positive trend.

Within Florida, the South Florida region had the greatest concern (as reflected in the search for “coronavirus test near me”), which is somewhat expected, given the intensity of the region’s case levels and concerns with cases on cruise ships. Tampa Bay ranks fifth, which may indicate a lower level of concern due to the region’s flatter curve (i.e. more gradual increase) in terms of cases, when compared to other more densely populated regions in the state and across the country.
 
NOTE: The normalized scores here are based on Google Search Trend’s highest search volumes as a percentage of overall searches. A “100” for West Palm Beach implies that as a percentage of overall search volume, this query was highest in this area compared to similar percentages in other area of the state.

Tracking searches for “unemployment benefits” within the state of Florida, we see that interest continues to be high, suggesting that we are not yet at the peak of our unemployment challenges.

Within Florida, we see the greatest interest in “unemployment benefits” in the Orlando region, with Tampa Bay ranked a near fifth place.

Along with high levels of unemployment, food insecurity is growing in Florida. The chart above shows searches for “food banks” over the last year within Florida, peaking (for the moment) on April 15, the date this report was gathered.

Ft. Myers appears to register the highest levels of food insecurity concerns within the state, which may be connected to its high ranking in unemployment-related searches. Tampa Bay currently ranks third in the state.

In the last ninety days, search terms including “eviction” and “rent assistance” show a spike in the need for housing help, coinciding with stay-at-home directives in late March, and the subsequent closure of businesses and loss of jobs.

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay (CFTB) has developed a detailed database of needs from Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations that are responding to the crisis and asking for help from the community. This database features more than $16.7 million in requests for assistance from 395 nonprofit organizations, reflecting the extensive needs of our region during this challenging time. Since its launch on March 25, the foundation has processed over $1 million in grants from CFTB fundholders, private donors and organizations towards those identified needs on the list. Contributing organizations include Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue, Humana and Regions Bank.