“The Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County will hold an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. Attendees will get a firsthand look at the coalition’s comprehensive growth plan for supporting the county’s homeless families.
According to Debi Redding, the coalition’s Executive Director, the three-to-five year “ambitious” plan seeks to increase the number of low-income permanent housing options.
“We will add 18 additional affordable rental homes that will consist of eight, two-and-three-bedroom duplexes on 1.6 acres of undeveloped land on our West Augustine Campus,” she said. “This will significantly increase our capacity to provide shelter and support so families can stabilize themselves.”
Other improvements include building an additional single-family home on the five-acre campus, along with expanding the food pantry, kids’ area, and children’s education center.
Redding stressed that the 25-year coalition is a hand-up, not a hand-out program as the coalition also offers homeless families intense supportive services.
“We help homeless families who want to help themselves,” she said. “Almost without exception, when clients leave the program, they’re moving into their own apartments.”
Redding attributed today’s rise in homeless families to the rising economic costs and inflation.
Families are being priced out of local housing,” she said. “Fair market price rent values are $1,600 and up. Workers making $15 to $17 an hour can’t afford that.”
Redding said that a growing number of families who don’t live in the county can no longer work here due to a lack of transportation, while others – mostly single mothers – can’t work a second job due to a lack of childcare.
“Many families find themselves deciding whether to pay rent, pay an electric or medical bill or purchase food,” Redding said. “The coalition provides homeless parents with stable housing along with intensive services and life-skill training to help families get back on their feet and moving toward a better future.”
Attendees will tour the 23 campus cottages, the food pantry and examine the blueprints for the proposed projects.”
