There are a total of 269 beds at HEP with separate facilities serving adults and families with children. Clients progress from emergency to transitional and permanent housing as they work toward goals for self-sufficiency. HEP programs serve about 1,000 people each year.



Emergency Housing
The Emergency Housing Program at HEP was developed to provide homeless individuals and families with temporary housing, food, clothing and supportive services necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. The program provides a total of 74 emergency housing beds for individuals plus 11 beds for individuals in families. The program remains filled to capacity, with open beds lasting only a matter of a day or two between discharging clients. Clients are assisted on a first come, first served basis. Once enrolled, clients are supported in the goal to obtain and remain in permanent housing.

Clients are referred to HEP from many sources, including other social service providers, the Pinellas County Department of Corrections, area hospitals and treatment centers.

Upon arrival, the intake coordinator identifies clients with emergency and urgent needs and immediate medical intervention takes place. Clients then meet with their assigned case manager and create an Individual Service Plan. Through intensive case management, clients work their plan and address various health, legal, family, and employment issues. Clients who can make a long-term commitment to continue to work on personal goals then enter transitional housing.

Transitional Housing
Transitional housing is available for those individuals who do not qualify for long-term housing (S+C program) for individuals with disabilities. This program offers an 18 month stay giving clients the chance to save money and utilize HEP’s vast services enabling them to move on to self-sufficiency outside HEP’s programs.

Permanent Supportive Housing
Shelter Plus Care (S+C) provides housing and supportive services on a long-term basis for homeless persons with disabilities, (primarily those with serious mental illness, chronic problems with alcohol and/or drugs, and AIDS related diseases). HEP serves, on average, 90 S+C residents a month.