QC
GRACE Marketplace is Gainesville’s primary shelter located on city property and financially supported by the city.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRACE MARKETPLACE
FEATURE
COMMUNITY
Helping the Homeless
Cities across the state rally to support at-risk population by Kelli Gemmer Florida League of Cities
W
hile homelessness is not a new issue, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the matter. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), homelessness grew 2% last year, and Florida makes up 5% of the nation’s overall homelessness. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) creates a historic opportunity for cities to connect resources with best practices. The stimulus bill specifically targets homelessness, with nearly $5 billion dedicated to grants to states and local governments to help those presently or soon-to-be experiencing homelessness. (For more information on ARPA, see p. 34.) Successful programs implemented by Florida cities over the past few years can be a source for new ideas. They include establishing outreach teams, implementing rapid rehousing programs and providing rental assistance. GAINESVILLE’S HOMELESS TO HOUSING PROJECT
The City of Gainesville partnered with GRACE Marketplace, the City’s largest homeless shelter and service provider, to fight chronic homelessness by providing stable housing. The project targeted individuals living in Dignity Village, a makeshift encampment on city-owned land. With nearly 350 people in the 54 QUALITY CITIES | FOURTH QUARTER 2021
encampment and three or four daily calls to Gainesville Fire Rescue, the City Commission approved a transition plan developed
by the partners to close Dignity Village by matching occupants with a specialist to place them into housing. Gainesville Assistant City Manager Deborah Bowie said, “The emergency of the pandemic gave us an opportunity to fast-track our commitment to housing first as the most effective policy toward ending homelessness.” The City and its partners helped those at Dignity Village relocate to a managed, temporary campground area at GRACE. Outreach included a full-time outreach/transition liaison and a police team. With the City’s assistance, GRACE’s outreach teams reduced the Dignity Village population by 86% in one year. The calls to Fire Rescue decreased to less than one per day, and the weekly calls to the Police Department decreased by more than 75%. The camp closed in November 2020. “What we’ve learned over the years is that the only way to solve homelessness is to shore up resources and partnerships to secure permanent supportive housing,” said Bowie. Digital news outlet American City & County presented Gainesville’s project with a Crown Communities Award recognizing local governments whose projects offer value to their communities.
