County to continue funding Homeless Coalition CEO post; board asks coalition for fuller report at workshop

Palm Beach County staff reviewed a decade‑long partnership with the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County and recommended continuing the county’s annual $150,000 contribution for the coalition’s executive position and in‑kind support. Commissioners asked the coalition for a fuller program and financial briefing at a future workshop.

Why it matters: County staff said the coalition functions as a local fundraising and coordination partner for homeless services and operates programs the county relies on for flexible support payments, hotel placements and workforce‑style training. James Green, director of the county’s Community Services Department, said the county’s $150,000 annual allocation covers the coalition’s CEO and support staff and that the county also provides office space and in‑kind communication support.

Coalition’s role and figures: Alexandria Ayala, the coalition’s CEO, told commissioners the coalition’s most recent IRS Form 990 shows about $2.6 million in total revenue, including approximately $370,000 from fundraising events and more than $2 million in other contributions and gifts. Coalition board members said private fundraising supports short‑term housing gaps, emergency hotel placements and programs that move people into permanent housing.

Board direction and next steps: Commissioners supported continuing the funding but asked the Homeless Coalition to return with a dedicated workshop presentation that lays out services, grant pass‑throughs, in‑kind county support valuation and program outcomes. Vice Mayor Baxter and Commissioners Weiss and Woodward explicitly asked for more detailed metrics and fiscal reconciliations. The board indicated it will continue the current funding while seeking clearer reporting and a workshop presentation from the coalition.

Clarifying details noted in the meeting: County staff said the $150,000 payment for the CEO was partially expended in the last fiscal year (staff reported $123,000 used for staff/clerical support in one briefing note), and that the county-provided office space had an approximate in‑kind value the coalition later identified as $48,600. The coalition described several recent program totals (e.g., more than $1 million in Adopt a Family support over five years and more than $300,000 to The Lord’s Place), and said the parks‑to‑work employment program has placed dozens of participants into employment with an 80% non‑recidivism rate among participants.

Ending: Commissioners voted in favor of staff continuing the existing funding arrangement for now and asked staff and the coalition to coordinate a workshop presentation with fuller program metrics, the value of county in‑kind support and planned uses of grant or settlement proceeds going forward.