Tampa Hope shelter reports expansion, on-site telemedicine and drop in 911 calls

Tampa City Council heard an update Wednesday on Tampa Hope, the city’s temporary-to-permanent sheltering partnership with Catholic Charities, which officials said has grown to 235 beds and added medical and wraparound services aimed at moving residents into permanent housing.

Abby Feeley, administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, told council Tampa Hope opened in December 2021 and “today has 235 beds, which includes a 125 tents and 99 cottages.” Feeley said the program has served “over 15,150 clients” since opening and that 563 people were placed into permanent housing.

The council was told Tampa Hope has added on-site care. “The OnMed facility provides…clients can go in and they can speak directly to a virtual physician,” Feeley said, noting the telemedicine station opened in October 2024 and “this actually has cut down on the facility's calls to 911 by 50%.” Maggie Rogers, executive director of Catholic Charities, described the site as a “build the ship while we’re at sea” model: services were added quickly to meet immediate needs and are being expanded as more permanent infrastructure comes online.

Council members and the public asked how outreach teams connect unsheltered people with the site and whether capacity is sufficient. Feeley and Rogers said Tampa Hope accepts people by referral from outreach teams (city outreach, Tampa Police Department or Catholic Charities outreach) and that intake days are scheduled (primary intake on Tuesday, with additional days for beds as available). Feeley said the city’s goal is to increase capacity to 365 beds by 2026, and that her office’s “goal is 400.” Rogers said Catholic Charities has placed an additional 90 cottages on site and is working to bring utilities to expand capacity.

Officials emphasized the broader service model beyond sheltering: Matthew 25, a new permanent building at the site, provides laundry, restrooms and a full kitchen; Catholic Charities has added behavioral-health and substance-use treatment services and plans additional on-site clinic space. Feeley said Tampa Hope’s wraparound services include case management, financial literacy and employment supports.

Several council members and public speakers praised the program but also asked about recurring encampments elsewhere in the city. Feeley said the city and Catholic Charities are convening outreach partners to map hot spots and coordinate responses, and that the administration is exploring ways to make it easier for residents and community groups to report locations needing outreach.

Public commenters, including outreach volunteers and providers, pressed for clearer guidance to faith-based and volunteer groups that provide food on the street; Catholic Charities encouraged groups to bring meals to Tampa Hope’s kitchen so meals are centralized and do not incentivize encampments to form near feeding locations.

The update did not include requests for council action. Officials asked council to continue support for outreach coordination and for the planned expansions. Council members said they would follow up with staff about operational details and outreach coordination.