Task Force Report

The Tampa-Hillsborough Citizens Task Force on Homelessness 

In 2005, a Task Force was estabilshed to review the 10-year plan, best practices accross the nation and to make recommendations for addressing homelessness in our community.  As part of its work, the task force identified common values, guiding princliples and agreements that were used to guide their efforts.

Community Values of the Task Force

• Individuals and families who are homeless are citizens, neighbors and relatives.
• Poverty is recognized as one of the main causes of homelessness.
• Most homelessness is temporary and not by choice.
• Affordable housing needs to be available for all citizens.
• Tampa-Hillsborough is a compassionate, problem-solving community.
• Tampa-Hillsborough believes in establishing and sustaining partnerships between government, the private sector, voluntary agencies, faith-based organizations, the business community and all citizens to end homelessness.

Guiding Principles

Policy and planning for individuals and families who are homeless need to be part of a comprehensive housing, health and human services plan among the city, county, state and community.

• The homeless system of care is part of the larger mainstream community in need of safe, decent, accessible and affordable housing.
• The homeless system of care seeks to improve coordination and collaboration among service providers and the community at large.
• The Homeless Coalition will demand accountability and develop concrete permanent housing outcomes to break the cycle of homelessness.
• The Homeless Coalition will recommend a cost effective “Housing First” approach of housing with supports to implement its short and long term plans.
• The Homeless Coalition will promote the use of evidence-based or best practices in the development of housing and services.
• The Homeless Coalition will assertively pursue financial alternatives that will result in the expansion of necessary housing and services to meet the growing demand of homelessness in the community.
• The Homeless Coalition will reach out and engage consumers, the private sector, faith-based organizations and business leaders in the community to end homelessness.
• The Homeless Coalition will support the homeless workforce by accessing training and technical assistance for administrators, clinicians, front-line outreach teams, law enforcement, faith-based organizations and volunteers.
• The Homeless Coalition will review its own strengths and weaknesses and utilize local, state and national best practices to make recommendations on service delivery.

Utlimately, the plan affirmed the best practices in the 10-year plans were still best practices and would be long-term solutions needed to make a real difference to our homeless neighbors. The Task Force made recommendations in the areas of:

Community awareness

Finance development

Service delivery development

Community partnerships

Tampa-Hillsborough Citizen's Task Force on Homelessness (<<Click to download PDF)