Pensacola's Homeless Programs House Hundreds Since 2023

Three city programs have moved hundreds of homeless residents into shelter and housing since 2023, officials said.

The Police Department's Community Response Specialists program logged 1,685 interactions with homeless individuals from its 2023 launch through April 2026. Specialist Brittany Harris and her team placed 93 people in shelter or housing, referred 242 others to housing services, and connected residents to substance abuse treatment and work programs. Harris coordinates with Opening Doors, Family Promise, REAP, 90 Works, EComfort, Catholic Charities and Waterfront Rescue Mission.

In the first quarter of 2026, Harris arranged transportation for a domestic violence survivor and her child to reach shelter and coordinated RV repairs for a mother and child living in a vehicle.

The city invested $100,000 in Children's Home Society's Hand Up for Youth program, which launched in December 2024. The grant provides up to $1,000 monthly for six months to homeless youth ages 18-23. Twenty-one young people have received assistance, many caring for siblings or their own children. The program has spent $60,000 of the grant.

The city and Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola expanded a pallet shelter initiative from 14 units to 27 shelters using American Rescue Plan Act funding. Associate City Administrator Cliff Collins credited collaboration between the city and REAP after site planning revealed capacity for additional units.