Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-13 Resolution Adopting the FY 2025-30 CDBG Consolidated Plan & FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan — reading text

0 Unaccompanied Youth 6 3 0 0 0 Table 40 - Facilities and Housing Targeted to Homeless Households Data Source Comments: Describe mainstream services, such as health, mental health, and employment services to the extent those services are use to complement services targeted to homeless persons In Fort Walton Beach, mainstream services like healthcare, mental health support, and employment services play a vital role in complementing the services specifically targeted towards homeless individuals. These mainstream resources are utilized in various ways to support the overall well-being and path to self-sufficiency for those experiencing homelessness. 1. Health Services: Florida Department of Health: Offers publicly available low or no-cost health and social services that can be accessed by the homeless population. Healthcare for the Homeless Designation: Community Health Northwest Florida, as the area's Federally Qualified Health Center with a Healthcare for the Homeless designation, specifically provides support for the medical needs of homeless individuals. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 55 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  Coordination with Hospitals: Organizations like the Homelessness and Housing Alliance ( HHA) collaborate with hospitals to ensure homeless individuals can access needed healthcare services. On-site services: Some organizations like Opportunity Place, Inc provide a range of services including access to resources for basic needs like food and showers, which are essential for overall health and well-being. 2. Mental Health Services: Bridgeway Center, Inc. ( BCI): This organization offers a range of behavioral healthcare and addiction services, including outpatient services, for individuals in Okaloosa County, including those experiencing homelessness. They have a dedicated program, the Treatment for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (TIEH) Program, that connects underserved individuals and families facing homelessness to comprehensive care. Collaboration with Behavioral Health Providers: HHA partners with behavioral health providers like Bridgeway to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing mental health needs within the homeless population. General Mental Health Resources: Several other mainstream mental health resources are available in the area, such as Living Free Therapy Services LLC and the Florida Department of Health, that can be utilized to supplement the mental health care provided to those experiencing homelessness. 3. Employment Services: Opportunity Place, Inc.: Beyond providing shelter, Opportunity Place assists homeless families with obtaining sustainable employment, financial stability, and permanent housing. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton: This organization helps job seekers, including homeless individuals, by offering training and employment resources. Referral to Community Resources: Organizations like HHA and Catholic Charities refer clients to relevant employment services as part of their coordinated efforts. List and describe services and facilities that meet the needs of homeless persons, particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth. If the services and facilities are listed on screen SP-40 Institutional Delivery Structure or screen MA-35 Special Needs Facilities and Services, describe how these facilities and services specifically address the needs of these populations. Fresh Start, Opportunity Place, One Hopeful Place, Permanent Supported Housing (PSH) Grant operated by Catholic Social Services, Homelessness and Housing Alliance all serve the local homeless population. The area has a number of homeless service providers that work together to maximize resources and reduce duplication of services. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 56 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  All providers serve veterans in the area but veterans that are eligible for VA services are referred for VA housing programs through coordinated entry. The VA also provides street outreach services in order to identify all homeless veterans and determine VA eligibility quickly. If a person/household is eligible for VA services, they are enrolled and housed as quickly as possible. If the veteran is not eligible for VA services, they are referred to a non-veteran specific housing program. Homelessness & Housing Alliance provides housing stabilization services for chronically homeless households, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth. Housing stabilization includes housing navigation services, financial assistance for application fees, past due rent, rental deposits and utility assistance. Case management and a housing stability plan is provided to all households receiving housing stabilization services. HHA also provides motel vouchers for non-congregate shelter when the shelter is unavailable or not the most appropriate option for a household. HHA provides outreach and engagement in all jurisdictions of the CoC. Housing navigation is available to all households seeking this service. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 57 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  MA-35 Special Needs Facilities and Services – 91.210(d) Introduction This section describes facilities and services that assist people who are not homeless but require supportive housing and programs. Including the elderly, frail elderly, persons with disabilities (mental, physical, developmental), persons with alcohol or other drug addictions, persons with HIV/ AIDS and their families, public housing residents and any other categories the jurisdiction may specify, and describe their supportive housing needs Elderly and Frail Elderly: Supportive Housing Needs: Affordable, accessible housing that allows for independent living with access to supportive services like transportation, meal programs, and healthcare coordination. They may require assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and social engagement to prevent isolation and maintain their well-being. Shoreline Villas offers affordable housing for seniors 62 and older. Supportive Housing Needs: Accessible and affordable housing options tailored to individual needs, with access to appropriate care, therapy, and support services to foster independence and community integration. The Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority manages public housing, including units for persons with disabilities. 3. Persons with Alcohol or Other Drug Addictions: Supportive Housing Needs: Safe and stable housing combined with access to substance use disorder treatment, counseling, recovery support services, and transitional housing programs. Organizations like Bridgeway Center provide behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment and housing support. One Hopeful Place offers services to those experiencing homelessness, including connections to housing and job assistance. Fresh Start for Children and Families offers an educational and vocational program with a housing element for families facing homelessness, including drug/alcohol screening. There are also several drug and alcohol rehab centers in the area offering various levels of care. 4. Persons with HIV/ AIDS and Their Families: Supportive Housing Needs: Affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare services, access to case management, and support for their unique medical and psychosocial needs. 5. Public Housing Residents: Supportive Housing Needs: Decent and safe rental housing, particularly for eligible low and moderate-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Access to resources that Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 58 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  promote stability and well-being, such as job training, childcare assistance, and opportunities for community engagement. The Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority owns and operates public housing units for those who meet eligibility requirements. Other Categories: Homeless and At-Risk of Homelessness: Includes individuals and families in crisis needing immediate assistance, shelter, and connections to resources for permanent housing. Veterans: May require specialized housing and support services to address the unique challenges they face after military service, including potential physical or mental health conditions. Describe programs for ensuring that persons returning from mental and physical health institutions receive appropriate supportive housing Bridgeway Center Inc.: This organization plays a significant role in providing supportive housing services, including the TIEH ( Treatment and Interventions for Experiencing Homelessness) program, which focuses on connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or co-occurring disorders to comprehensive care, including assistance with securing sustainable housing. Bridgeway also utilizes Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), which aligns with the evidence-based "Housing First" model, providing housing as a foundation for individuals to access support services and work towards personal goals and improved quality of life. Homelessness and Housing Alliance ( HHA): As the lead agency for the Okaloosa Walton Continuum of Care, HHA collaborates with various organizations to address homelessness and housing needs in the community, including assisting those transitioning from institutional settings. They work with partner agencies to offer Rapid Rehousing Programs, which provide housing search support, temporary financial assistance for housing costs, and stabilization counseling to help individuals achieve long-term housing stability. One Hopeful Place (OHP): OHP provides affordable housing for unaccompanied men and veterans seeking self-sufficiency, with the goal of changing lives and improving the community. Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority (FWBHA): While not exclusively focused on institutional transitions, the FWBHA administers Housing Choice Vouchers ( formerly Section 8), which can assist individuals with disabilities in affording housing in the private market. The FWBHA has also developed apartment units that meet Fair Housing requirements and allocate units for handicapped tenants. Florida Department of Children and Families: This department provides access to crisis support resources for various social services, including housing assistance. Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa: They offer information and resources related to mental health and