Subject:
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Funding agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. for the Pinellas Hope Emergency Shelter.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the funding agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. for the operation of Pinellas Hope Emergency Shelter.
• This agreement will support Pinellas Hope, an emergency shelter that offers safe, temporary housing and comprehensive support services to individuals and couples experiencing homelessness as they work toward self-sufficiency. Services include emergency shelter, meals, transportation, and employment assistance to promote stability and self-sufficiency to unhoused persons facing homelessness.
• In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, Pinellas Hope provided shelter and services to 1,726 clients. Each client met with a case manager at least once per week to coordinate needs and connect to services. The total number of shelter bed nights for the period was 66,385.
• Funding in an amount not to exceed $525,000.00 per year is included in the Human Services FY26 General Fund Proposed Budget. The initial term of this agreement is for three years, commencing October 1, 2025, and expiring September 30, 2028, with one option of renewal. The agreement includes a fiscal non-funding clause, should this portion of the budget not be approved.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction
Summary:
Summary
This agreement provides funding for Pinellas Hope, a program that delivers temporary shelter and essential support services to individuals and couples experiencing homelessness. Pinellas Hope assists residents in working toward long-term stability through shelter, food, transportation, and employment services. The program’s goal is to reduce homelessness by addressing immediate needs while supporting pathways to self-sufficiency.
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Background Information:
In December 2007, Catholic Charities established Pinellas Hope in partnership with the local government, businesses, the interfaith community and other not-for-profits to provide approximately 250 units of temporary emergency shelter to homeless individuals.
Pinellas Hope has expanded from what was known as a small tent city to a larger campus-style setting that includes 159 tents, 96 Hope Cottages, and 156 permanent supportive apartment units for veterans, chronic homeless individuals and other high need/high utilizer populations.
In FY24, Pinellas Hope provided shelter and services to 1,726 clients.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $525,000 has been identified in the Human Services proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) General Fund appropriation.
Funding for this Agreement is consistent with the FY26 proposed Budget.
The agreement has a fiscal non-funding clause, should this portion of the budget not be approved.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg
Attachments:
Agreement
Attachments