Our Mission
The mission of the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness is to work collaboratively to prevent and end homelessness in Florida.
The Issue
.
Homelessness is an international, national, and local issue that has plagued communities since man first began to live in houses. Until all people in the world have access to affordable housing, homelessness will remain a widespread societal problem that needs to be addressed. Florida has the 3rd largest homeless population in the U.S.
About Us
.
Since 1994, Florida Coalition to End Homelessness (FCEH) has distinguished itself as the state’s leading voice on homeless policy. Today, FCEH continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness in Florida by working with state and federal stakeholders to develop solution-driven practices.
Membership
.
FCEH assists its members with best practices and technical assistance training to help them implement solutions to homelessness locally. In turn, members help their communities create lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, youth and individuals throughout Florida. FCEH offers three membership types.
NEWS and REPORTS
Funding Alerts and News Updates
Please visit our news page for funding alerts, social media and blog posts including news from FCEH, NAEH, HUD and National Low Income Housing Coalition.
December 2019 Newsletter
Florida Coalition to End Homelessness Quarterly Newsletter is available now.
Southern Legal Counsel: Jailbirds in the Sunshine State
This compelling 2016 publication from the Southern Legal Counsel states: “Instead of investing in proven solutions to end homelessness, Florida leads the nation in using the criminal justice system to punish homeless people for conduct they need to do to survive such as sleeping, camping, bathing, public urination, trespass, sitting/lying down, loitering, storage of belongings, and asking for money.” Laws targeting homeless individuals are unconstituational and are not an effective solution to ending homelessness.
The High Cost of Being Poor in Florida
Anti-Poverty Programs Help Alleviate Costs, But More Must Be Done to Reduce Burdens
“It is welcome news that the poverty rate in Florida declined from 16.5 percent in 2014 to 15.7 percent in 2015 and declined nationally from 15.5 percent in 2014 to 14.7 percent in 2015.1 Sustained economic gains, strengthened by federal and state policies that increase income or reduce expenses, have finally begun to reach our low-income neighbors.
This is good news, and with job growth continuing, we ought to be able to take steps to accelerate the pace of poverty reduction. But the precarious situation for the poor and near poor stands in the way of substantial progress. The fact is, it is expensive to be poor in the United States. New data released in September by the Census Bureau show that 3.1 million adults and children remain in poverty in Florida – and they need to pay every dime they have for necessities like rent, child care and groceries. They pay a premium for rent and food because of bad credit and inability to get to cheaper markets. Getting less value for their limited dollars, poor families are exposed to threats to health, child development, and employment. When expenses outstrip income, late fees and fines make things worse. For too many low-income Americans, predatory loans are a desperate attempt to stave off eviction or loss of a vehicle, leading instead to a trap of debt and poverty.
The new Census Bureau data also show that effective anti-poverty programs, like housing assistance, child care subsidies, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) lift millions out of poverty and reduce the cost of poverty for millions more. But more needs to be done to reduce the burden of poverty even further, and for more Floridians living in and near poverty every day.”
