Florida Homeless Continuums of Care

The Role and Impact of CoCs

Homeless Continuum of Care Lead Agencies oversee the planning and development of homelessness programs, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively, there is no duplication of services, and organizations that are being funded are solving homelessness by reducing the length of time on the streets and in shelters, successfully placing individuals in housing and keeping them there with appropriate services and links to the community. This localized approach addresses homelessness in each region of the State. By facilitating the transition from homelessness to stability, Homeless Continuum of Care Lead Agencies help alleviate pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and local social services.

The Florida Continuums of Care (CoC Lead Agencies and their partners) provide services to more than 90,000 persons experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness each year.

Return on Investment – The 27 Continuums of Care in Florida provide housing with connections to outpatient healthcare and other services to approximately 17,500 severely disabled individuals, preventing costly institutionalization in hospitals. This proactive solution to homelessness among the severely mentally ill saves Florida over $180 million in healthcare costs alone.

High housing retention rates – 96% of those with severe mental and physical disabilities placed into housing with supportive services stay housed and out of institutions.

Reduce Emergency Costs

Continuums of Care fund housing programs with links to supportive services. Florida CoCs through HUD funded programs, provide housing with links to outpatient healthcare to disabled persons who had been homeless for a long time (chronically homeless). This intervention decreases local emergency response expenses by 30%, optimizing the use of taxpayer dollars.

Provide Critical Funding

CoC Lead Agencies support nonprofits and faith-based organizations to move individuals off the streets and into stable housing with services that help them remain housed. This approach restores dignity, promotes personal responsibility, and generates considerable cost savings.

End Homelessness

From 2007 to 2023, Florida achieved the largest absolute decrease in homelessness nationwide, marking a 47% reduction when adjusted for population growth. Despite this success, rising housing costs and inflation continue to put seniors and working families at risk. CoCs operate proven programs that prevent homelessness and reduce long-term government expenses.

Continuums of Care include all of the agencies, individuals, local Government, business, funders, service providers, housing developers, mental health and healthcare providers, anyone in a community that is interested in ending homelessness.

CoC Lead Agencies are listed below, please contact your local CoC if you are interested in joining your community to end homelessness in your region. Collectively, we are ending homelessness in Florida.

CoC Lead Agencies

Homeless Continuum of Care Lead Agencies are listed below indicating the counties they represent. The Lead Agency is the Collaborative Applicant for Federal and State funding for local homeless services. Please scroll over their logos to visit their websites and social media accounts.

If you are looking for resources, please use the link below.

Resource Guide