Residents urge county to restore targeted grants for homelessness services

Residents at a Brevard County Speak Up Brevard workshop urged the county commission to restore targeted grant funding for nonprofits that provide emergency shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness.

Heather Elko, a 45‑year Brevard resident, told commissioners she wants the county to “provide grant funding specifically to nonprofits that serve unsheltered and inadequately sheltered residents.” She described needs such as temporary shelter, emergency utility and food assistance, mental health counseling and transportation to care.

Elko said nonprofits “are buckling under the demands of a burgeoning low income population” and that funding could be time‑limited and structured to the commission’s priorities. She characterized the proposal as “a restoration of grant funding with a more targeted focus that had been in place for decades.”

Commissioners did not take formal action during the workshop. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the topic’s overlap with city efforts and countywide systems, and participants said the proposal could complement existing affordable‑housing work by expanding short‑term shelter and service capacity.

Elko also requested the county develop a way to acknowledge public speakers after meetings to let citizens know their remarks were received.

The county will consider the Speak Up Brevard submissions during its review period and place staff recommendations before the full commission at a later meeting where proponents may speak again.