WPB & Partners Celebrate Housing for 40 Chronically Homeless People

Published on November 04, 2024

November 4, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications

City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office

dpapadakos@wpb.org

(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

WPB and Partnering Organizations Celebrate the Successful Placement
of 40 Chronically Homeless Individuals into Permanent Housing

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The City of West Palm Beach is proud to announce the successful completion of a major initiative that focused on addressing homelessness in our community. Through the commitment and teamwork of multiple City departments and partnering organizations, 40 chronically homeless individuals have successfully transitioned into stable, permanent housing.

The City of West Palm Beach Department of Housing and Community Development successfully led negotiations with Sunview Medical and the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBHA), resulting in a property management agreement. Under this agreement, PBHA now manages 28 housing units on Windsor Avenue, which are currently home to 30 chronically homeless and/or medically fragile individuals. These residents were identified and placed through the City’s dedicated homeless outreach team.

Through the Pathway to Independence Program, in partnership with Palm Beach County Community Services, and the City’s Housing Stabilization Program, these individuals were successfully housed with their rent covered for one year. An additional 10 individuals were also housed under the Pathway to Independence Program, bringing the total to 40.

Through generous donations in gift cards from The Fund for West Palm Beach Police, essential household items and furniture were purchased to help the new tenants settle comfortably into their homes. In partnership with Integrated Healthcare Systems, the City will continue providing crucial case management services to the tenants over the next year to support their ongoing needs.

“This effort was both incredibly challenging and rewarding. Coordinating between multiple organizations to serve individuals with chronic needs required a significant amount of time and labor, but it was a necessary investment," said Jennifer Ferriol, Director of Housing and Community Development.

This monumental achievement reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment of numerous organizations, including the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Community Services, PBHA, Sunview Medical, Integrated Healthcare Systems, The Fund for West Palm Beach Police, and several internal City departments such as Housing and Community Development, Finance, Police, and City Administration.

“This initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together as a community,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “By partnering with dedicated organizations, we have not only provided housing but also a pathway to stability for those who need it most. As we address ongoing challenges related to homelessness, we remain committed to creating innovative solutions that ensure everyone in our community has a place to call home.”

In light of the ongoing discussions surrounding recent legislation HB 1365, which prohibits unauthorized public camping and sleeping on public property, the City is proud of this timely achievement. The City remains dedicated to exploring comprehensive solutions to address homelessness and expanding affordable housing options.

For more information about this initiative and other City programs, please visit wpb.org/HCD.

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About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or LinkedIn.