How can residents report a homeless encampment or individual living on the streets?
Citizens can call 904-630-CITY (2489), visit myjax.custhelp.com (select General Services request), or email myjax@custhelp.com to report an encampment or individual who is illegally camping on public property. This information will be routed to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Providing Assistance to the Homeless (JFRD PATH) Team for outreach.
 
How is the City of Jacksonville addressing the new state law banning public camping?
Since October, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has been enforcing the new state law banning public camping. As of January 3, there have been 529 warnings, 86 arrests, and 27 notices to appear.
 
Since late November, the JFRD PATH Team has been conducting 24/7 outreach to the homeless community and connecting them to resources. More than 900 contacts have been made and 60 individuals have been taken to the Trinity Rescue Mission shelter.
 
The homelessness plan released by the Mayor’s Office in July and funded in her proposed budget included a shelter bed expansion. In November, the City Council passed $1.3 million to create 96 new shelter beds at the three area shelters. The 44 shelter beds at Trinity Rescue Mission are now full. 26 beds will be opened at Salvation Army next, and after those are full, another 26 beds will be opened at City Rescue Mission.
 
The “carrot and stick” model is helping more unhoused individuals than are being arrested. In one example, an unhoused individual repeatedly refused to enter a shelter in the past. This individual finally entered one after receiving a warning from JSO and is now receiving the medical treatment and wraparound services needed to recover.
 
Are healthcare resources available for people experiencing homelessness?
The City’s Healthlink Jax Initiative – one of the first telehealth services for uninsured patients in the country – has been made available to the JFRD PATH Team and area shelters. This program ensures that uninsured patients receive primary care instead of expensive emergency room visits that drive up healthcare costs for everyone. Duval County residents who are uninsured can call 904-925-CARE (2273) for services.
 
Are members of the homeless community from Jacksonville?
More than 90% of interactions with the JFRD PATH team are with individuals who are not from Jacksonville. The Homeward Bound program, which is funded through JSO and administered by Downtown Vision, Inc. has provided the resources for 93 individuals to return to their home community since October. Through this successful program, they can be closer to family and friends who can provide the needed support, while limited city resources can be focused on supporting our existing residents.
 
What services are available for the Beaches and Baldwin municipalities?
We had a productive meeting about solutions with the Beaches municipalities in December, and we continue to be in communication about options. While their police departments are responsible for enforcing their own ordinances that comply with the state law, the City’s outreach efforts and JFRD PATH team activities were always meant to be countywide.
 
What is next?
Since day one, Mayor Deegan’s administration has been focused on collaboration and problem solving. The team is ready to work with everyone to address the countywide issue of homelessness. We knew it would take significant funding and organization to tackle this challenge. That’s why a 12-point plan was released and $10 million was included for homelessness in the mayor’s proposed 2024-2025 budget. Since then, funding has been appropriated in a step-by-step fashion, based upon data showing the breadth of the need and magnitude of the problem. We will continue to present bold action plans for solutions and stand ready to work together to implement the necessary resources that dramatically reduce homelessness in Jacksonville.