Locally, in the Big Bend area (Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Liberty, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison and Taylor Counties), there are an estimated 800 people experiencing homelessness on any given day. Of those experiencing homelessness, between 32-50% have reported having a mental health diagnosis.
The Big Bend Continuum of Care (BBCoC) is the local entity that oversees funding from the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development department (HUD) and the State Office on Homelessness dedicated to homeless and housing services. BBCoC helps communities complete gaps and needs assessments to ensure HUD, State and local resources are allocated appropriately to prevent and end homelessness. We have a unique concern in our area, where there are a disproportionate number of people who are considered chronically homeless, and many of these individuals have mental health challenges. On any given day, around 200 individuals are considered chronically homeless in our community, meaning they have experienced homelessness for 12 months or more in the past three years and they have a disabling condition of some sort, oftentimes related to mental health. Nearly 25% of our homeless population is considered chronically homeless; typically, communities see about 10% of their homeless population falling into chronic homelessness.
People often find themselves in a homeless situation due to mental illness. Symptoms and behaviors related to symptoms of mental illness can make it very difficult for someone to abide by the terms of a lease, and that is where the intersection of homelessness and mental illness often meet. BBCoC has local partners that are trained and dedicated to help those with mental illness and homelessness navigate their way to services and housing opportunities. Our two major partners include Ability 1st and Apalachee Center, Inc. (ACI).
Ability 1st employs outreach workers who are trained to provide trauma- informed interactions with people who live with mental health conditions and who are experiencing homelessness. These workers are especially successful in building rapport and helping to build trust with someone needing assistance. Ability 1st also provides permanent supportive housing, funded through HUD, to those who are chronically homeless, many of whom are able to live fulfilled lives because of housing and access to treatment.
Apalachee Center, Inc., operates a Homeless Outreach program that targets those experiencing homelessness who are uninsured and who need access to treatment, medication, and referrals to housing opportunities. ACI will also be piloting a project funded through the City of Tallahassee that will operate as a crisis intervention team that can respond to mental health crisis in the very near future.
BBCoC helps coordinate all outreach efforts in the Big Bend to ensure that the correct outreach teams with the essential specialized skills are paired with individuals needing support. BBCoC also manages the Coordinated Entry System, which includes assessing someone who is experiencing homelessness to see what type of housing intervention would suit them best, based on their vulnerability, and then making appropriate referrals to homeless service agencies and housing supports.
If you are ever concerned about someone who may be experiencing homelessness, please reach out to the Big Bend Continuum of Care so that we can follow up through one of our homeless street outreach service providers to provide assistance. There are many programs and services, but navigating those options can be especially tough for someone experiencing mental illness. As community members we need to look out for one another and help where we can. BBCoC staff can be reached at 850-792-5015 or by emailing us at info@bigbendcoc.org. Caring, compassionate community citizens are the link that connects someone to housing and much needed support.