Okaloosa Walton County Homelessness and Housing Alliance assistance programs
Housing, information on rental assistance, and shelters from the Homelessness and Housing Alliance in Okaloosa and Walton County are for the very low income and homeless. The non-profit organization, formerly known as Homeless Continuum of Care Opportunity, works with many other groups in the region to help stop homelessness from occurring. Find more details on help from the Homelessness and Housing Alliance of Okaloosa Walton. While the financial support, mostly from the federal government emergency solutions grant program is limited, the agency does offer other aid. When it comes to any rent assistance near you in Florida or money to pay a deposit, that is available by referrals. But the Alliance does have shelter and other low-income housing resources available.
Homelessness and Housing Alliance shelters for the un-housed
- homeless shelter known as
Opportunity Place
is available. This is for families, children, and even single mothers or parents. The center is located in Fort Walton Beach Florida, however it is for people in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. It is also run in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Another option,
Shelter House
, is for victims of domestic violence, whether women or children. It offers them a safe place to stay and other support, such as information on legal aid. As the goal is to ensure the person facing abuse has a safe and secure place to live. Transitional housing apartments from Homelessness and Housing Alliance
- Okaloosa Walton County Homeless is known as
Fresh Start
. It is operated as an independent not-for-profit agency. It offers short term, safe, and affordable housing for those facing eviction. There is also help for homeless families and children from Fresh Start. The transitional system will last for up to 9 months and is for those that are committed to self-sufficiency and long term stability. All clients need to be committed to gaining stability, employment, and addressing other needs. Fresh Start will also clients a fully supervised environment combining education, intake assessment, service/case plan, financial counseling, positive reinforcement and goal planning. While the Florida weather doesn’t get too cold, there are emergency cold weather shelters for when this occurs. The Fort Walton Beach Cold Weather Program is operated in partnership with local churches, including the following. Mary Esther United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian of Fort Walton Beach, Gregg Chapel AME, St. Simon's on the Sound Episcopal, Seventh Day Adventist of Fort Walton Beach, and also First Christian Church. There is also another winter shelter system in place that is operated by Crestview. Those partner churches include Emmanuel Baptist as well as Life Point Church, which is located at 400 S Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536. Other partners include Community of Christ, First United Methodist, and others. The Walton County Florida shelter program is available at the Cold Weather Civic Center in DeFuniak Springs. There are also other locations for a shelter for the unhoused near you , in addition to the resources here. Permanent housing placement from
Homelessness and Housing Alliance
Staff from Homelessness and Housing Alliance (Homeless Continuum of Care) provide clients access to ongoing guidance . This is what is known as a full continuum of care, and it ranges from outreach and intake services to job placement into permanent housing. Clients can learn about programs to pay security deposits or other forms of rent on a new home. Some people will be issued loans or other forms of monetary compensation. Other advice will encourage ongoing, steady employment. The case managers at Fresh Start as well as the housing Alliance are also committed to helping not only low income and formerly residents but anyone who need advice. The program provides those seeking help with intake. Based on that, there will be assessment, financial counseling, educational programs created, service/case plan, and goal planning. The case managers provide clients with a full continuum of care from intake services to outreach. There is also placement in permanent housing or information on rental programs . Also, Homelessness and Housing Alliance encourages steady employment in Florida. Anyone that is struggling can use these outreach services, not just the homeless. Family Life Ministries of Northwest Florida is a key partner. They operate the
Pregnancy Crisis Shelter
. It offers counseling as well as a safe place to stay. It will assist both expecting mothers as well as women in homeless situations, as well as single moms.
Meals and food for the homeless
The homeless can also turn to
Soup Kitchens
operated by Homelessness and Housing Alliance partners for their basic needs. Not only can they get a free meals, but case management services will help them address the crisis as well. Clients can learn about where to turn to for shelter or emergency help. The locations are below, or find another Florida free meal organization . Central Baptist, 951 S Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536, dial 850-682-5525 Our Savior Lutheran Church, 178 W North Ave, Crestview, FL 32536, telephone number is 850-682-3154 First Assembly is located at 400 S. Ferdon, call 850-682-3518 Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church - Community Luncheon, 603 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Crestview, FL 32536, dial 850-682 - 1292 Community of Christ, 398 W. First Ave. Crestview, FL 32536, dial 850-682-7474 First Presbyterian, 492 N Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536, main phone 850-682-2835
Main contact information for Homelessness and Housing Alliance
The location of this main center is 906 Marwalt Dr G, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547, telephone (850) 409-3070. As noted, many of the programs are run in partnership with other local charities and churches.