A nonprofit organization that serves as the federally designated lead agency for homelessness services in Bradford County will hold a public town hall and listening session here next week.
TaskForce for Ending Homelessness is inviting Bradford County residents to share their thoughts on community needs, available supports, and local services addressing homelessness. The session is set for Tuesday, June 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bradford County Senior Center, 1805 N. Temple Ave. in Starke. The event is being held in coordination with Lt. David Weeks, a Continuum of Care Leadership Council member.
TaskForce serves as the lead agency and collaborative applicant for the North Central Florida Continuum of Care, designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Florida Department of Children and Families for local coordination. The organization’s goal is to create a path to stability for individuals and families through a continuum of housing and supportive recovery services ranging from outreach and emergency shelter to transitional and permanent housing models.
Its responsibilities include strategic planning, community engagement, grants and funding, data management, training and education, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy.
Feedback gathered at the Bradford County session will be used to inform the organization’s strategic planning for the region.
According to their website, keystohome.org, the most recent point-in-time survey found 33 people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Bradford County, 10 homeless individuals in the county jail, and 110 homeless children enrolled in local schools.
Programs funded through the Continuum of Care provide services including short-term rental and mortgage assistance, outreach at encampments, schools, hospitals and jails, and rehousing services with individualized case management, as well as family and adult emergency shelters and behavioral health care programs.
Residents can find information on local homeless services and resources by calling 211 or visiting keystohome.org.
