Help Hillsborough finalize "10-Year Plan to End Homelessness" | Community Spirit

Tampa, Florida-– The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Inc. with support from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is leading the community in the development of a new 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness in Hillsborough County. 

With nearly 18,000 homeless men, women and children residing in this community, the need has never been greater.

“We are in the final stages of obtaining community input to complete the 10-year plan,” said Edi Erb, Interim CEO of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Inc.

Next week the Homeless Coalition will host a Charrette, an intensive planning process commonly used in urban planning that has been adapted by CSH for use in developing community plans to prevent and end homelessness.  The Charrette provides an opportunity for collaboration among diverse stakeholders to solve community problems within a very short period of time. 

In preparation for the “Charrette Week,” a kickoff meeting was held April 23rd and approximately 200 people attended including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman, Tampa City Councilmember Lisa Montelione, City of Temple Terrace Councilmember Mary Jane Neale, and Hillsborough County School Board Chair and president of the Homeless Coalition Candy Olson.  A steering committee of community representatives have been guiding the planning process, including three community meetings held in early June to develop the focus issues to discuss during Charrette Week.

On July 23 and 24 of Charrette Week, a panel of local and national experts will facilitate an intense dialogue focused on six issue areas identified by the community.  The result will be a framework of concrete strategies to prevent and end homelessness.  On Thursday, July 26, there will be a feedback session.  The 10-year plan will be presented on Monday, July 30. 

“We need to make sure the plan is reflective of the community’s needs” said Erb.  “This plan will be submitted to federal, state and local government agencies and be used in making funding decisions.” 

People encouraged to attend include concerned citizens, policy makers, funders, business leaders, service and housing providers, other key stakeholders, including neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations and civic associations.  

Release courtesy of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County