Current Resource Gaps:

1. Despite the vast network of service providers in Gainesville, the supply of resources to serve the homeless has trailed demand for more than a decade. Many services are available only to those in residence at a shelter.

As noted earlier, approximately 650 homeless people are unsheltered on a given night. That leaves 65% of the population with very limited options for services. No primary medical care or mental health/substance abuse services exist to serve homeless individuals who are not covered by Medicaid or Veterans’ benefits. Oral health services are available for children enrolled in Medicaid, and one dental clinic exists to serve the needs of all homeless adults.

2. Gainesville does not have a housing shortage but a lack of housing that is affordable for the people who live and work in our community. It is sadly ironic that there are people sleeping on the streets, in woods and in parking lots amid a sea of “for rent” signs.

According to the federal Fair Market Rent (FMR) a two bedroom apartment should rent for $626 in Alachua County. In order to afford this rent a person would need to make at least $11.81 an hour.
A minimum-wage worker would need to work 77 hours a week to afford the same 2-bedroom apartment.

The Vision:

• All homeless or previously homeless individuals and

families have access to all needed supportive services,

medical care, oral health services, mental health care

and/or substance use care.

• All temporary or transitional housing for homeless

adults includes needed wraparound services. Access

to these services will be made available as needed

once permanent housing is obtained.

Program goals include:

• Providing an additional 350 beds for homeless persons;

• Expanding the local inventory of, and access to, affordable housing;

• Increasing access to services through a first entry/one stop center;

• Increasing access to free medical care;

• Providing supportive services (such as life skills, budgeting, job training, mentoring, etc.);

• Increasing faith-based initiatives;

• Increasing homelessness awareness among public safety providers and the community;

• Reducing the number of homeless arrests;

• Implementing an effective discharge planning system;

• Homeless prevention through education, job training, and supportive services.

 

What Can Our Community Expect?
The successful implementation of Gainesville/ Alachua County’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness will result in the following:

1. Significant savings in public systems from reduced use of services including hospital emergency rooms, ambulances, and law enforcement services.

2. Savings in other services systems, including homeless shelters and acute psychiatric and medical services that can result from placement of individuals into supportive housing.

3. Enhanced quality of life for both those who are housed and homeless.

4. Demonstrated success through supportive housing retention rates.

5. Inspiration and energy from working together to help our neighbors most in need. .

(Source: Project GRACE: The Gainesville/Alachua County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.)