Palm Bay proclaims National Homeless Persons Memorial Day as coalition presses council to back shelter buses

Mayor Rob Medina proclaimed Dec. 21, 2025 as National Homeless Persons Memorial Day on behalf of the city of Palm Bay, and representatives of the Brevard Homeless Coalition used the council chamber to press the city for additional emergency measures.

"No one in Brevard County should die because they have nowhere safe to sleep," James Smith, the coalition's coordinated entry manager, told the council. Smith said the county's 2025 point-in-time count showed decreases in some measures of homelessness but that 73 neighbors died during the year. He highlighted recent housing openings — including a Volunteers of America project that provides 31 units — as examples of progress while arguing for more immediate options.

Smith outlined a two-part request: council help bring emergency shelter buses to Palm Bay and support co-sponsored large-scale outreach events such as "stand down" services to deliver case management, health and housing resources. He said his office had worked with Matthews Hope and its executive director, Scott Blue, to develop bus-based shelter plans and asked the council to help identify locations and partners.

City staff and council members discussed legal and logistical constraints for siting buses on private property. Mr. Morton (city staff) noted that placing buses on church property can trigger review under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and is not an automatic zoning exemption; churches must be able to document that such sheltering is part of their core mission. Deputy Mayor Jaffe and Councilman Johnson urged working directly with local churches and nonprofits to identify suitable sites; staff noted an administrative co-sponsorship waiver that can cover facility fees under $1,500 to facilitate events without returning to council.

The council did not take a formal vote to authorize bus placements at the meeting; instead members directed staff and community partners to pursue property discussions and return with a plan. Council members emphasized coordination with the continuum of care and with county and state partners, and urged the public to participate in upcoming memorial services and the January 2026 point-in-time count.

Next steps: staff was asked to continue outreach with church leaders and nonprofit partners and to report back with options and any legal clarifications needed for siting shelter buses.