Shelter and Food Availability

 Street Survival Guide

Real Change

Escambia County's Real Change initiative aims to help connect the community with resources and assistance. Working with our community partners, our goal is to help provide services that make a real change in the lives of individuals in need.

For more information, please reach out at realchange@myescambia.com. 

HOME-ARP Addresses Specific Needs Relating to Homelessness and Housing Instability

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $5 billion to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations. These funds were allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for funding through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME Program) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This special round of funding is called the “HOME-ARP” program. 

In September 2021, HUD awarded the Escambia County, FL HOME Consortium (which consists of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola and the City of Milton) $4.1 million in HOME-ARP funds.

The HOME-ARP Program is a stand-alone program distinct from the traditional HOME Program. Since the American Rescue Plan Act’s purpose is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on American communities, HOME-ARP funds are reserved for specific  eligible activities benefiting specific qualifying populations that are known to have experienced much higher risks of homelessness and housing instability during the pandemic

Eligible Activities

HOME-ARP funds can be used for four eligible activities.

• Production or Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing
• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
• Supportive Services, including services defined at 24 CFR 578.53(e), homeless prevention services, and housing counseling.
• Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter. These structures can remain in use as non-congregate shelters or can be converted to 1) emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grant program; 2) permanent housing under the Continuum of Care; or 3) affordable housing under the HOME Program. 

Qualifying Populations

HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations:

• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));
• At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1));
• Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary;
• In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability;
• Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the preceding criteria.
  

Public Outreach Process

HOME-ARP Public Meeting Scheduled Monday, September 26^th, 2022, at 5:30pm to be held at Brownsville Community Center at 3200 W. De Soto Street, Pensacola, FL 32505.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Pensacola are hosting the Real Change community partner event at the Brownsville Community Center. 

Public Meetings

• September 1st Board of County Commissioners meeting – Escambia County Homelessness Presentation

Survey Results

• Homelessness Taskforce 2022 Survey Results
• Homelessness Public 2022 Survey Results

Escambia County will share our Community Engagement Plan for the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program as soon as it has been finalized. This document will outline the proposed consultation process for the preparation of a HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which will prescribe the county’s planned uses of HOME-ARP funds. These funds can be used for homelessness assistance and supportive services that primarily benefit qualifying populations as defined in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Along with a needs assessment and gap analysis, the public consultation process outlined in this Community Engagement Plan will help determine the allocation of the Consortium’s HOME-ARP funds toward eligible activities.

This Community Engagement Plan will be updated with information about engagement opportunities and strategies as they become available. 

Development of the HUD-ARP Allocation Plan

On September 13, 2021, HUD Issued regulations and guidance for the HOME-ARP Program, including a requirement that participating jurisdictions develop an allocation plan for the use of HOME-ARP funds. ( Notice CPD-21-10). The allocation plan must be approved by HUD before Escambia County can receive and begin to commit HOME-ARP funds. The main purpose of the allocation plan is to engage in significant community and stakeholder outreach to gather data and prepare a needs assessment and gap analysis. This gap analysis will guide the BCHC’s implementation of the HOME-ARP Program and selection of activities for HOME-ARP funding.

• Open for public comment until Monday, March 20, 2023. Please email comments to NED@myescambia.com
• The public notice of the Final Draft was published in the PNJ on 3/3/23 is stating the Plan is available for review and public comment.
• The Escambia HOME Consortium, consisting of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola, and the City of Milton announce the availability of the DRAFT HOME-ARP ALLOCATION PLAN, to be filed with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concerning local housing and community development activities and services to be accomplished with the HOME-ARP funding awarded to the Consortium. This report details activities to be carried out over the length of the grant.
• Copies of the Report are available for public review and comment at: Neighborhood Enterprise Division, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305, Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 595-0022 or via NED@myescambia.com. Written comments will be received at the above noted addresses through March 20, 2023. The Escambia HOME Consortium adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to services, programs and other activities.
• Escambia County HOME-ARP Notification 3.3.23
• Escambia County HOME-ARP Allocation Plan FINAL DRAFT
• HOME-ARP Public Notice- Plan Update
• HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Amendment - August 2023

Escambia County Opioid Abatement Funding

Escambia County is receiving funding from the National Opioid Settlement and has formed an Opioid Abatement Advisory Board. Find out more here.