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Homelessness is a problem that impacts hundreds of residents of Palm Beach County.  It presents social service demands, health care burdens and policy dilemmas.

Estimating the numbers of homeless people is notoriously difficult, but a count of the homeless was conducted in January 2007 with results indicating that 1,766 individuals are homeless in Palm Beach County at a given point in time.

Past estimates indicate that there are between 600 and 4,000 homeless individuals on any given day in Palm Beach County. 

Homeless Outreach Teams
The Human Services Division operates three Homeless Outreach Teams (HOT).
These teams:

• work countywide where homeless individuals congregate
• build rapport and engage the homeless
• complete a comprehensive Intake and Assessment
• triage regarding the need for medical detox, crisis stabilization or emergency shelter
• place individuals in the Homeless Assessment Center or refer to detox or stabilization or emergency shelter
• work with homeless once placed in emergency shelter where they  may remain for up to 30 days to determine their commitment to ending their homelessness
• refer individuals to HUD funded transitional or permanent supportive housing projects based on their progress.

Homeless Facilities and Services
14 HUD agencies provide transitional and permanent supportive housing through 17 different projects.  In 2007, these agencies served a total of 727 homeless individuals and families.
Service Needs addressed include:

• housing for varying lengths of time;
• other basic needs such as food, clothing, and transportation;
• supportive services (case management, counseling for substance abuse and mental health, employment and life skill training)

Homelessness is a complex issue that involves a variety of providers and services to meet individual needs towards the eventual goal of ending homelessness. 

Additional federal, state and local funding targets homeless service provisions to include:

• prevention, operation and maintenance facilities
• Homeless Assessment Center
• emergency shelters
• transitional housing facilities
• service enriched/supportive housing
• homeless prevention case management
• employment training
• supportive services
• healthcare
• low demand life skills program
• bus passes
• food vouchers
• emergency assistance
• advocacy 

A total of $6,200,796 was allocated in fiscal year 2007 to Palm Beach County providers by Human Services, Housing and Community Development and the Department of Community Services towards the goal of preventing homelessness and serving those impacted by homelessness.

New Housing for Homeless
Annually funding for additional homeless housing is sought from state and federal sources.  In 2006, Human Services submitted a grant on behalf of Adopt-A-Family that was funded for $463,500 to construct nine, three bedroom affordable housing rental townhomes to be made available to homeless families.

New Initiatives
As of January 2006, the Human Services began serving as the Lead Entity for homeless services at the request of the Homeless Continuum community providers. As the Lead Entity, the Division is charged with developing a plan to end homelessness in Palm Beach County in the next ten years in addition to a coordination, grant submission and monitoring role.  Towards the goal of strategic planning, the Division worked with County Administration and the community to develop a Homeless Advisory Board.

Strategic Planning - Homeless Advisory Board
Members will include representatives from the public sector (local and state government); homeless/formerly homeless individuals; advocates; business interests and funders.  The Homeless Advisory Board was charged with:

• coordinating a vision, develop and adopt the ten-year strategic plan to end homelessness
• gaining consensus on dealing with this multi-faceted and complex issue
• being accountable for tracking and reporting the progress in achieving the goals and objectives outlined in the plan

The Homeless Advisory Board presented the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County to the Board of County Commissioners on September 23, 2008.  The Commissioners adopted the plan as presented. 

Human Services provides staff support to the Homeless Advisory Board.

Faith-Based Activities
The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

This program is a nationwide community effort to work with homeless families.  Ten to twelve faith-based groups (churches, temples, mosques, etc.) combine to provide shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families through an IHN.

Locally, three groups are meeting across the County (south, central and northern) and developing networks.  Human Services staff have been participating in the training and planning sessions.

• Homeless Outreach Team