Homeless Prevention

In the early 1990's Helpline began working with a community task force organized to seek transfer of excess Navy property for reutilization as homeless housing and service facilities (PLAN 1999 Task Force). The PLAN 1999 Task Force was successful in its bid to represent the interests of the homeless provider and advocacy community in the base reuse plan. This effort established the foundation for future negotiations for the Navy property with 14 nonprofit human service agencies.

Helpline was one of the charter members establishing SHAL, the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League. As services for the homeless expanded, Helpline's information and referral (I&R) to the homeless also expanded. Currently, Helpline provides annual I&R to several hundred homeless or near homeless throughout all of Monroe County. Information for homeless services includes, emergency shelters, feeding programs, food pantries, rental assistance, utility assistance, substance abuse prevention information and mental health referrals.