Shelter and Food Availability

 Street Survival Guide

Real Change

Escambia County's Real Change initiative aims to help connect the community with resources and assistance. Working with our community partners, our goal is to help provide services that make a real change in the lives of individuals in need.

For more information, please reach out at [email protected].

HOME-ARP Addresses Specific Needs Relating to Homelessness and Housing Instability

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $5 billion to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations. These funds were allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for funding through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME Program) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This special round of funding is called the “HOME-ARP” program. 

In September 2021, HUD awarded the Escambia County, FL HOME Consortium (which consists of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola and the City of Milton) $4.1 million in HOME-ARP funds.

The HOME-ARP Program is a stand-alone program distinct from the traditional HOME Program. Since the American Rescue Plan Act’s purpose is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on American communities, HOME-ARP funds are reserved for specific  eligible activities benefiting specific qualifying populations that are known to have experienced much higher risks of homelessness and housing instability during the pandemic.

Eligible Activities

HOME-ARP funds can be used for four eligible activities.

• Production or Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing
• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
• Supportive Services, including services defined at 24 CFR 578.53(e), homeless prevention services, and housing counseling.
• Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter. These structures can remain in use as non-congregate shelters or can be converted to 1) emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grant program; 2) permanent housing under the Continuum of Care; or 3) affordable housing under the HOME Program. 

Qualifying Populations

HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations:

• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));
• At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1));
• Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary;
• In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability;
• Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the preceding criteria.

HOME-ARP Notice of Funding Availability

The Thursday, Oct. 3, pre-application meeting has been moved to Monday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. using the same Teams link provided.

Escambia Consortium HOME-ARP Allocation NOFA V1.0_Final 8.20.24

Appendix I - Escambia Consortium HOME-ARP Allocation Plan

• Due Date – Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected]
• Questions can also be submitted by email to [email protected]

HOME-ARP Applications FY24-25

• AMR HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Bright Bridge Ministries HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Family Promise HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Lutheran Services HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Ministry Village at Olive HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Opening Doors HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Overflow HOME-ARP Application Combined
• REAP HOME-ARP Application Combined
• Smith & Henzy HOME-ARP Application Combined
• CCNWFL Trinity Village HOME-ARP Application Combined

HOME-ARP Application Meetings

Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. - Performance Evaluation and Ranking - HOME-ARP NOFA

• HOME-ARP NOFA Scoring Tabulation
• Performance Evaluation and Ranking - HOME-ARP NOFA - Attendance Report 2-3-2025
• Performance Evaluation and Ranking - HOME-ARP NOFA - Meeting Video Recording

Monday, March 3 - HOME-ARP Final Ranking

• HOME-ARP NOFA Grant Application Qualifications
• HOME-ARP Final Ranking - Meeting Video Recording
  Public Outreach Process
  
  

  HOME-ARP Public Meeting Scheduled Monday, September 26^th, 2022, at 5:30pm to be held at Brownsville Community Center at 3200 W. De Soto Street, Pensacola, FL 32505.

  On Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Pensacola are hosting the Real Change community partner event at the Brownsville Community Center. 

  
  

  Public Meetings
  

  • September 1st Board of County Commissioners meeting – Escambia County Homelessness Presentation

  
  Survey Results
  

  • Homelessness Taskforce 2022 Survey Results
  • Homelessness Public 2022 Survey Results

  Escambia County will share our Community Engagement Plan for the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program as soon as it has been finalized. This document will outline the proposed consultation process for the preparation of a HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which will prescribe the county’s planned uses of HOME-ARP funds. These funds can be used for homelessness assistance and supportive services that primarily benefit qualifying populations as defined in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Along with a needs assessment and gap analysis, the public consultation process outlined in this Community Engagement Plan will help determine the allocation of the Consortium’s HOME-ARP funds toward eligible activities.

  This Community Engagement Plan will be updated with information about engagement opportunities and strategies as they become available. 

  Development of the HUD-ARP Allocation Plan

  On September 13, 2021, HUD Issued regulations and guidance for the HOME-ARP Program, including a requirement that participating jurisdictions develop an allocation plan for the use of HOME-ARP funds. ( Notice CPD-21-10). The allocation plan must be approved by HUD before Escambia County can receive and begin to commit HOME-ARP funds. The main purpose of the allocation plan is to engage in significant community and stakeholder outreach to gather data and prepare a needs assessment and gap analysis. This gap analysis will guide the BCHC’s implementation of the HOME-ARP Program and selection of activities for HOME-ARP funding.

  • Open for public comment until Monday, March 20, 2023. Please email comments to [email protected]
  • The public notice of the Final Draft was published in the PNJ on 3/3/23 is stating the Plan is available for review and public comment.
  • The Escambia HOME Consortium, consisting of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola, and the City of Milton announce the availability of the DRAFT HOME-ARP ALLOCATION PLAN, to be filed with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concerning local housing and community development activities and services to be accomplished with the HOME-ARP funding awarded to the Consortium. This report details activities to be carried out over the length of the grant.
  • Copies of the Report are available for public review and comment at: Neighborhood Enterprise Division, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305, Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 595-0022 or via [email protected]. Written comments will be received at the above noted addresses through March 20, 2023. The Escambia HOME Consortium adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to services, programs and other activities.
  • Escambia County HOME-ARP Notification 3.3.23
  • Escambia County HOME-ARP Allocation Plan FINAL DRAFT
  • HOME-ARP Public Notice- Plan Update
  • HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Amendment - August 2023

   

Escambia County Opioid Abatement Funding

Escambia County is receiving funding from the National Opioid Settlement and has formed an Opioid Abatement Advisory Board. Find out more here.

Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

May 15, 2026
Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division
221 Palafox Place, Room 305
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-4968

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Escambia County.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about June 2, 2026, Escambia County will submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the McMillan School Adaptive Reuse Project (Project) for the purpose of converting the Henry McMillan School at 1403 W St Joseph Ave, Pensacola, FL 3250 into multifamily housing. The project will involve rehabilitation of the main building, one portable building, and the surrounding vacant land into a total of 53 housing units. All units will be reserved for low or very low-income residents or homeless residents. All buildings are ADA compliant. There will be a larger on-site kitchen available for tenants, as well as a community gardening space, outdoor exercise area, laundry facilities, and an auditorium that will host seminars and events about personal growth, education, and spiritual/religious fulfillment. The surrounding 1.75 acres of vacant land can be used for the construction of additional low-income housing in the future. Existing water and sewer connections will be utilized. The estimated total HOME-ARP funded amount is $2,536,987.00.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Escambia County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division 221 Palafox Place, Room 305 Pensacola, FL 32502 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 5 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the address above. All comments received by June 1, 2026 (publication date plus 15 days), will be considered by Escambia County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Escambia County certifies to HUD that Wesley Moreno, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as County Administrator, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and Escambia County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Escambia County; (b) Escambia County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to either [email protected] or the HUD Jacksonville Field Office, 400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015 Jacksonville, FL 32202. Potential objectors should contact HUD at (904) 232-2627 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Wesley Moreno, Escambia County Administrator