If you thought St. Pete's lovable, huggable (if a little stinky) homeless men and women were gone from the debate site â€” think again.

Police have given them the OK to stay the night in the shadow of the Mahaffrey Theater.

Eric Rubin, one of the more vocal homeless advocates, called the camp-out/protest a success. In today's Times, City Councilman Jamie Bennett told a reporter that those who don't go to the Pinellas Hope tent city won't be arrested. (A far cry from Councilman Foster's earlier comment that the "red carpet is over.") That was one of the homeless protesters' demands.

"We were hoping with enough press, they'd do the right thing," says Rubin.

Rubin also says that the last three days of constant media attention have "energized" the homeless. He says several homeless individuals held a meeting on the steps of City Hall last night asking each small camp of street people â€” from those at City Hall to the people sleeping by St. Vincents â€” to join as one community to better fend off attacks from city officials.

Meanwhile, Robin Dilley â€” who is sleeping by the Hilton on Beach Drive tonight â€” says she hopes people keep the city's most vulnerable residents in mind even after they're gone from the debate site.

"You all like building these buildings," the former addict says. "More hotels that you don't need. More stadiums that you don't need. We need a day center. You want us to get a job? Give us an avenue. Then we'd have no excuse."