Homelessness Issues in Florida
Statewide Homelessness Legislative Agenda
Advanced by the Florida Coalition for the Homeless
Priority #1Advanced by the Florida Coalition for the Homeless
Maintain Current Level of Funding for State-Funded Homeless Assistance Programs
- Challenge Grant
- Homeless Housing Assistance Grant
- Local Coalition Funding
- Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program (EFAHP)
Establish One State Definition of Homeless Person
Florida has two definitions of homeless persons. DCF, which funds homeless assistance programs, has one definition; DOE has another. The DCF definition (section 420.621(4), F.S.) only targets some homeless people and does not include most homeless children and youth which are included in the DOE definition (Section 1003.01, F.S.). This policy change will eliminate barriers to assistance by creating a uniform definition for all state homeless assistance programs.
Priority #3
Remove the Cap and Fully Fund the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund
Remove the current cap of $243 million on the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund and allocate all funding generated for this trust fund to housing needs in Florida. In the past two years, $433.8 million of the dollars generated for housing has been diverted from the trust fund and swept into the state's general revenue account. Not only is there a loss of tens of thousand new housing units, there is a loss of jobs, sales tax revenue and economic activity for the state.
Priority #4
Discharge Planning Policy and Funding
Create policy changes within the state's criminal justice and healthcare (physical and mental) systems that address and outline acceptable discharge planning processes to prevent inmates and patients from being discharged into homelessness. Request funding to assist in the implementation of discharge planning policies.
