June 22, 2020 – Jacksonville has made major strides in reducing homelessness in the past decade, significantly outpacing national progress metrics, according to a new report shared today with local organizations working to end homelessness. The report reveals that between 2009 and 2019, Jacksonville homelessness service providers successfully reduced the city’s overall homeless population by 32 percent, compared to the national reduction average of 10 percent. This local success includes an 82 percent reduction in homeless veterans, a 46 percent reduction in homeless families and a 60 percent reduction in the chronically homeless. Despite these achievements, the report notes opportunities for improved community support overall, and especially for unsheltered, single adults in Jacksonville, whose population has increased by 20 percent during that same period.

The report, led by former executive director for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Barbara Poppe, is the latest step in a multi-year collaborative conversation among the many organizations and stakeholders supporting homeless in Jacksonville. Snapshot: A High-Level Review of the Regional Approach to Homelessness in Jacksonville, FL incorporates data and expertise from a variety of system administrators and service providers, as well as interviews with people experiencing homelessness. The report was funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, United Way of Northeast Florida and the Henri Landwirth Family Advised Fund.

“Over the past several years of collaboration and conversation among the organizations serving the homeless in Jacksonville, it became clear that an objective review of our data and protocols would help us identify ways to better work together,” said Katie Ensign, vice president of placemaking and administration for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and a board member for the North Florida Continuum of Care. “Having relevant organizations and administrators at the table, with the benefit of expert insight into effective systems and how other communities are successfully working together, is critical to make real and lasting progress toward our shared goal of ending homelessness.”

The report examines the current state of Jacksonville’s homelessness assistance programs, the characteristics of the homeless population and the availability of quality data that influences funding. It identifies barriers that prevent organizations from successfully transitioning the homeless to permanent, affordable housing. The report also provides recommendations focused on increased community-wide collaboration; reliance on comprehensive, quality data to inform funding and interventions; and interventions and philosophies that are successfully working in other communities.

“This report was developed in response to a demonstrated need for local, actionable information on homelessness, and we recognize this important community issue deserves the investment to better understand opportunities and barriers,” said Kathleen Shaw, vice president of programs for The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “This report provides an important input for our city’s system administrators and providers as we anticipate the post-COVID universe for serving our city’s homeless households.”

In the midst of report development, the COVID-19 pandemic created new opportunities to evolve the system of support for homeless households in real time. With access to national resources and relationships such as the partnership with Barbara Poppe, Jacksonville organizations were able to quickly access and implement best practices in response to the pandemic. Jacksonville was one of two cities selected for a pilot program to test all homeless people for COVID-19. More than 675 people were tested, all negative. Fast action and close coordination helped to significantly limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus among homeless households in Jacksonville.

“The process of long-term systemic change is often times careful and deliberate — and sometimes uncomfortable — but our community’s response to COVID-19 shows us we can make real and meaningful progress quickly,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “Ending homelessness is a complex process that requires collaboration among many systems in our city.  With this new report as an important lens, we must continue the conversation with our housing providers, mental health services, local businesses, our government officials and other system administrators to find and explore new ways to further this great progress.”

Read Snapshot: A High-Level Review of the Regional Approach to Homelessness in Jacksonville, FL here.

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About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 56th year, the Foundation has assets of $482 million and has made approximately $550 million in grants since 1964. For more information: www.jaxcf.org.

About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a private foundation that works to expand access to opportunity and create inclusive growth for the people, organizations and communities that Jessie Ball duPont knew and loved. We envision a world in which every member of those communities feels they belong, and is engaged in shaping the future of their community. Our work focuses on increasing equitable access to opportunities and resources for members of society who have historically been excluded, and placemaking to build stronger communities where all voices are heard and valued. Learn more at www.dupontfund.org.

About United Way of Northeast Florida
Founded in 1924, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential. Because change doesn’t happen alone, United Way’s mission is to solve Northeast Florida’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. The nonprofit organization focuses on five causes: comprehensive basic needs, high-quality education, good health and well-being, financial security and social innovation. United Way’s long tradition of addressing the human-service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and Northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, donors and community partners. To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org, or follow @unitedwaynefl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
Susan Datz Edelman
VP, Strategic Communications
904-356-4483
sedelman@nulljaxcf.org
Twitter: @CFJacksonville
www.jaxcf.org

Jessie Ball duPont Fund
Melanie Cost
Communications
610-453-4153
mcost@nulldupontfund.org
Twitter: @dupontfund
www.dupontfund.org

United Way of Northeast Florida
Sarah Henderson
Director, Marketing and Communications
904-300-8366
sarahh@nulluwnefl.org
Twitter: @unitedwaynefl
www.unitedwaynefl.org