JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday that the City of Jacksonville will receive $1 million in funding to support people experiencing homelessness.

More than $14.1 million will be allocated to the State of Florida and 16 jurisdictions, including Jacksonville, through Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding, which is intended to assist the immediate unmet needs for homelessness assistance and homelessness prevention in declared disaster areas.

The funding aims to help provide shelter to people displaced by hurricanes Helene and Milton, and address needs not otherwise covered by existing federal disaster relief programs. 

“This RUSH funding will fill the gaps in federal assistance, reaching the most vulnerable people,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Marion McFadden for Community Planning and Development.

The $1 million awarded to Jacksonville could go toward outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention assistance and other supportive services.

“Mayor Deegan has made it a priority to explore federal and state funding that enhances the City of Jacksonville’s investment in homeless outreach and services. We welcome this additional funding from the Biden-Harris Administration and we are grateful for their belief in our countywide strategy to reduce homelessness,” the mayor’s office said in a statement to First Coast News regarding the new funding.

The mayor’s office said plans for the funding will need to be decided and announced in the near future.

To view the list of all the funding recipients, click here.

On Wednesday, the COJ released an update regarding outreach efforts for people experiencing homelessness.

Since October, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has enforced the new Florida law banning public camping. The city said as of Jan. 3, police issued 529 warnings, 86 arrests and 27 notices to appear to people in violation of this new law.

Since late November, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Providing Assistance to the Homeless (JFRD PATH) Team has provided 24/7 outreach to people experiencing homelessness and helped connect them with resources. Crews made more than 900 contacts and took 60 people to the Trinity Rescue Mission shelter, city officials said.

More than 90% of the individuals JFRD PATH made contact with were not from Jacksonville, city officials said.

Since October, the Homeward Bound program, funded through JSO and administered by Downtown Vision, Inc., has provided resources for 93 individuals to return to their home community. City officials said the program gives individuals the chance to be closer to their family and friends and allows city resources to be focused on existing residents.

In July, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan introduced a 12-step plan to comply with the state’s new Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping law. The plan included expanding shelter capacity, and in November, Jacksonville City Council passed $1.3 million in funding to create 96 new shelter beds at three local shelters. 

The city’s Healthlink Jax Initiative, which allows uninsured patients to receive primary care, is also avaliable to people experiencing homelessness through the JFRD PATH Team and at local shelters.

“We will continue to present bold action plans for solutions and stand ready to work together to implement the necessary resources that dramatically reduce homelessness in Jacksonville,” the city update said.

Read the city’s update on homeless outreach efforts and other frequently asked questions below: