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Pinellas County proposes one-time bridge funding to avert losses of permanent supportive housing after federal funding shake-up
Summary
County staff warned that recent HUD funding changes could end assistance for 361 residents housed through two contracts and proposed a one-time shift of about $900,000 in county funds to help cover an estimated $1.5M fiscal shortfall while partners seek longer-term support.
Pinellas County commissioners were told that a federal funding change could force dozens of people out of long-term supportive housing within weeks, and staff asked the board to approve a time-limited local bridge to hold residents harmless.
Karen Yachow, Pinellas County Human Services director, said HUD issued a notice of funding availability that would have cut funding for permanent supportive housing and changed priorities toward transitional programs. She told the board that two HUD-funded contracts that together house 361 Pinellas residents — including more than 100 children and more than 100 seniors — will end in January and February, and "that is gonna be significant for our community." Yachow said the county receives about $6.5 million through the continuum, with roughly 74% funding permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing.
To avoid immediate displacement while the county and partners respond, Yachow proposed a short-term, one-time assistance package. Staff described a plan to shift roughly $900,000 of existing human-services budgeted programs (including $172,000 in an existing high-utilizer program) and to pause a planned CABBI procurement so those dollars can be used to close a fiscal-year shortfall estimated at about $1.5 million for the affected provider. County staff stressed this would be a temporary bridge: "This is a 1 time only funding" intended to buy time for a longer-term solution, not to supplant federal funds.
Kevin Marone, president and CEO of Bowley Centers (BOLI Center in the transcript), told commissioners his organization could draw on reserves for up to six months but that contract restrictions and legal covenants on some properties complicate alternatives. Yachow and staff said they were coordinating with municipal partners, the Juvenile Welfare Board and Florida Housing to pursue additional sources of support, and that staff would return with contract amendments and a January agenda item to meet HUD deadlines and avoid issuing termination notices to tenants.
Commissioners signaled broad support for a time-limited bridge and pressed staff for near-term follow-up. The board asked staff to return with precise contract amendments, cost-reimbursement terms and a proposed motion on the next agenda so the county can meet the HUD timing cited in the presentation.
Next steps: staff will prepare a January agenda item to amend existing contracts and seek commissioner direction on the one-time funding bridge, with ongoing updates to the board as partner commitments and federal guidance evolve.
