We appreciate your interest in our mission to facilitate solutions to prevent and end hunger and homelessness by coordinating services in Collier County. The Hunger & Homeless Coalition is comprised of numerous local agencies, consumer advocates and volunteers working together to stabilize households and create a comprehensive system of care for Collier residents experiencing hunger and homelessness.
Hunger and Homelessness are complex problems that affect human well-being and the progress of society. The Coalition collaborates with community partners to ensure that we have systems in place to address the needs of people in crisis. Families with children, single adults, teenagers and elderly individuals of all races struggle with the devastating effects of homelessness. With our focus on solutions, the Coalition works from the belief that housing is the first step in stabilizing homeless households. We advocate for homeless prevention resources and combining permanent housing with a pipeline of support services to address the problem of homelessness in our community.
Coalition Quarterly Newsletter
Quarterly newsletters are now available from our website. Click on the Newsletter button.
In the News
Homelessness & Health
The longer a person lives without stable housing, the greater the social and health consequences. Dr. Jessie Gaeta, an emergency room physician, saw the consequences of long-term homelessness in her work at the Boston Medical Center.
The link between housing and health became clear to Dr. Gaeta and, in 2006, she started a program called Home and Healthy for Good with state funding. A February CBS Evening News segment chronicled Dr. Gaeta’s efforts, the reduction in the homelessness in Quincy, MA, and the savings in health care costs to the hospital. Watch the segment to learn more about Dr. Gaeta’s “prescription for homelessness.”
Community Foundation Launches Collier 211
On February 11th the Community Foundation of Collier County launched Collier 211 for all Collier citizens. Collier 211 is an Information & Referral Service available by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting www.collier211.org. You can also call 239-263-4211.
The backbone of Collier 211 consists of multi-lingual phone operators, who also serve as trained crisis counselors. They connect callers in need of services 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, to available community programs.
Information and Referral Services (I&R Services) help individuals, families and communities identify, understand and effectively use programs offered by community nonprofits, government and for-profit service providers. All calls are confidential.
Feel free to display and distribute the Collier 211 flier in your organization.
20/20 Vision: A clear view of housing for all members of Collier County
A Community Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
After more than a year of evaluation, planning, and community outreach, the Coalition has finalized the Ten Year Plan. We invite you to review the Plan using the link below and explore how you and your organization can contribute to our community’s goal of preventing and ending homelessness by 2020. Click the link below to view the plan.
New Federal Definition of Homelessness
On December 5, 2011, HUD published the final rule on the Definition of Homeless in the Federal Register. The rule went into effect on January 4, 2012.
The final rule on the Definition of Homeless establishes four categories under which an individual or family may qualify as homeless: 1) literally homeless; 2) imminent risk of homelessness; 3) homeless under other Federal statutes; and 4) fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence.
Click here for a full description of these categories as outlined by HUD.
Homelessness in the News
Listen to broadcast of FGCU’s “Gulf Coast Live” discussing Foreclosure Rates and Affordable Housing in Southwest Florida. Originally broadcast May 23, 2011 host, Valarie Edwards, addresses the current housing crisis in southwest Florida with guests David Candler Hicks, a defense attorney with the Collins Center for Public Policy; Nina Banister, spokesperson for the office of the state’s Chief Financial Officer; and Vann Ellison, President/CEO of St. Matthew’s House.
View recently aired 60-Minutes segments about homelessness.
Hard times generation: homeless kids Originally aired March 6, 2011
Finding strength while homeless Web extra for Hard times generation
Hitting hard times Web extra for Hard times generation
The hidden America Originally aired March 6, 2011
