Seven Goals

Activities Achieved

GOAL 1. Develop a Universal System for Intake/Assessment and Enhance Homeless Information Management System

• Palm Beach County now administers the Homeless Management Information System (Also Known As HMIS or Client Management Information System (CMIS))
• Palm Beach County has established a Coordinated Entry System and Navigation Center
• The Continuum of Care has improved efficiency decreasing the average length of stay in emergency shelter to less than 60days

GOAL 2. Provide Interim Housing Services (0 to 90 days) for Homeless Individuals/Families

• Palm Beach County opened the Phillip D. Lewis Center (Homeless Resource Center) in 2012
• Palm Beach County acquired a building with 19 apartments (Program REACH) as an emergency resource center for families
• The Homeless and Housing Alliance (HHA) has developed partnerships with hotels and motels for interim housing
• Palm Beach County has developed plans to build a second homeless resource center in the Lake Worth Beach area

GOAL 3. Coordinate Partnerships and Resources for Homeless Services

• There has been an increase in the number of agencies participating in the Homeless and Housing Alliance
• The HHA has consistently recruited approximately 200 community stakeholders to participate in the annual Point In Time Count
• The HHA participated in the100 Day Challenge making systemic changes to decrease youth homelessness
• Palm Beach County departments, the Homeless Coalition and other organizations established a Parks to Work program
• Palm Beach County established a partnership with the Homeless Coalition maximize engagement from the business community
• Palm Beach County facilitated the development of a Faith In Action committee to fully engage the faith-based community

GOAL 4. Improve Access to Homeless Services with Outreach and Education

• The HHA has established more Coordinated Community Homeless Outreach Teams
• The HHA hosted a Leadership Conference and Increased HHA Training opportunities
• The Homeless Coalition has facilitated ongoing Project Connect events to coordinate services for the homeless

GOAL 5. Prevent Individuals and Families from Becoming Homeless

• Palm Beach County has restructured the Human Services division to expand prevention services
• The HHA has enhanced its diversion program to reunify individuals and families with more stable housing
• The HHA has improved coordination with the PBC School District McKinney Vento homeless students who are in unstable housing

GOAL 6. Secure a Stable Stock of Affordable/Accessible Housing

• The HHA has implemented a SMART Landlord Campaign to increase collaboration with property owners
• Palm Beach County works closely with various Housing Authorities to coordinate housing services
• Palm Beach County has enhanced the process to identify and collaborate with housing developers who are receiving tax credits
• Palm Beach County passed an Infrastructure Sales Tax referendum that will increase revenue available to build more affordable housing

GOAL 7. Provide System Oversight and Evaluation of the Ten-Year Plan

• The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners established a Homeless Advisory Board to oversee the implementation of the homeless plan
• The HAB board has established subcommittees on affordable housing, faith-based engagement, business engagement and homeless plan implementation
• Palm Beach County has provided periodic updates to report progress on The Ten-Year Plan