JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council will consider approving $413,900 to fund new shelter beds for at-risk women experiencing homelessness in the city Tuesday night.
“Because we know for a fact that 100 percent of the women that are on the streets are victimized in some form or fashion,” said Brian Snow, President of Housing & Human Services at Sulzbacher Center.
Snow explained the additional 32 shelter beds at Sulzbacher were specifically requested by JFRD’s Providing Assistance to the Homeless, or PATH, team.
“They’re saying, hey, we’ve got some space or men, but we have very limited space for females.” said Snow.
It’s the latest initiative in a multi-year effort that’s put a new focus on addressing homelessness in the community.
That push began after Florida banned public sleeping and camping statewide in 2024.
Jacksonville’s homelessness special revenue fund has been steadily built up since then, starting with $2.2 million in 2024 and now sitting at $4.3 million in the current budget.
The city also approved $1.3 million to fund 96 new shelter beds in 2024.
Meanwhile, the latest Point in Time Count shows Jacksonville’s overall homeless population has dropped by 11 percent since 2024.
But the number of sheltered homeless individuals in the county has remained virtually stagnant over that same two-year span, despite the added bed space.
“There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to homelessness. Great progress is being made in reducing veteran homelessness and shelter beds are being expanded for the growing need of safe spaces for women and children,” said a spokesperson with the mayor’s office in an e-mailed statement. ”There is more to be done.”
Snow said he has seen real progress on the ground over the past two years, and argued these continued investments are worth the price.
“And that’s taking the unsheltered folks maybe that aren’t used to being in a congregate setting, putting them in a spot that’s not congregate and getting them into housing,” said Snow. ”So, having worked here 23 years I’m certainly seeing the dividends of the mayor’s office and the investment.”
This year Mayor Donna Deegan has asked for about $4.7 million for homelessness initiatives.
She’s also seeking $6.3 million for affordable housing, which Snow argued is another critical piece of the puzzle.
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