North Central Florida Continuum of Care releases Strategic Plan through 2029

Press release from the TaskForce for Ending Homelessness

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The North Central Florida Continuum of Care Leadership Council has released its Strategic Plan through 2029, establishing a shared roadmap for reducing homelessness and improving the region’s response to people in need.

The Leadership Council, consisting of 18 appointed and elected members, approved the plan on September 3. The plan incorporates feedback from community stakeholders, service providers, and participants in town halls and surveys. It was developed in partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition. Federal and state law require Continuums of Care to maintain a coordinated plan for addressing homelessness. The Strategic Plan helps guide how the Continuum of Care prioritizes resources, directs funding opportunities, and coordinates partnerships.

The plan focuses on practical improvements that can help prevent homelessness, shorten the time people remain homeless, and connect more people with housing and resources. Among the priorities through 2029:

• End Veteran Homelessness
• Expand Emergency Shelter
• Expand Supportive Housing
• Improve Case Management
• Strengthen Law Enforcement Partnerships
• Make Services Easier to Navigate
• Make It Easier to Find Housing
• Help People Get Housed Faster
• Prevent Family Homelessness Earlier

The plan will measure progress by tracking whether people spend less time homeless, fewer people return to homelessness after being housed, fewer people experience homelessness for the first time, more people increase their income, overall homelessness declines, and more people successfully move into and remain in permanent housing. The Strategic Plan provides a common direction for governments, nonprofit organizations, housing partners, first responders, and other community stakeholders throughout North Central Florida.

“Our actions cannot simply manage homelessness. Every strategy, resource, and partnership must move us toward ending it by helping people get home faster and remain housed,” said Jacob Torner, Vice President of Programs for TaskForce for Ending Homelessness.

“This plan gives North Central Florida a focused direction, measurable goals, and clear priorities for getting there.”

A copy of the plan can be found on the Continuum of Care website at www.keystohome.org.