According to state officials, the homeless population in Florida grew 11 percent last year. But, money for emergency shelters could be cut to help fill a $3 billion budget hole.

Homeless programs could lose 67 million state and federal dollars.

State senators are considering cutting two million dollars from the Department of Children and Families Office of Homelessness. And $65 million federal stimulus dollars have run dry.

Health and Human Services Lobbyist Karen Woodall says the funding drop could leave thousands in the cold.

"Cutting any money to serve the homeless population is not a good idea and I think the challenge to the legislature, there are other areas to cut funding," Woodall said.

Woodall says lawmakers could save $24 million by eliminating subsidies for pro sports teams. Other places to find money include eliminating tax exemptions on bottled water and collecting the Internet sales taxes.

A one day count in 2009 found 58,000 homeless people living in the state.