In a recent government meeting, officials outlined new initiatives aimed at addressing housing needs for income-eligible families in the area. The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program will provide grants of up to $25,000 to assist families in securing stable housing. Eligibility for these funds is determined by household size, with a maximum income threshold of $80,000 for a one-person household and $114,000 for a four-person household.

The funding can be utilized for various purposes, including home repairs for existing homeowners, covering insurance deductibles, and assisting renters with relocation costs such as first and last month’s rent and security deposits. Additionally, the program will offer temporary hotel accommodations for those in immediate need of housing.

Kathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services, provided an update on local shelter statistics, noting a significant decrease in shelter occupancy from nearly 500 to just under 130 individuals currently housed. This reduction follows the recent influx of residents seeking shelter during a crisis, which also included over 1,300 animals.

To further support the community, the county has launched \"Pasco Hope,\" a temporary housing initiative located on a 2.1-acre site in New Port Richey. Originally intended for a low-barrier homeless shelter, the site will now host 25 camper trailers and 50 pallet homes, providing essential temporary housing along with wraparound services, managed by Catholic Charities.

Officials expressed optimism about these initiatives, emphasizing their commitment to helping families regain stability and access safe housing. Applications for the SHIP program are available online, and community members are encouraged to reach out for assistance.