Family Support Centers

Nearly 1,300 families, seniors, and adults each year are prevented from becoming homeless through our services at Family Support Centers in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Families who are on the brink of homelessness or have become homeless don’t know there is help available to them. Sometimes, state services can provide just what they need to get through the crisis. But it isn’t easy to navigate the system. Other times, a family needs more than just a patch on their problem.

What we provide
  • Assistance with rent
  • Assistance with utility bills
  • Children’s learning center
  • Employment and financial classes
  • Family reunification
  • GED classes
  • Holiday assistance (Thanksgiving and Christmas meals)
  • Legal counseling
  • Meal sites (daily hot meals served by partner organizations)
  • Metro Market food pantry
  • Metro Outfitters clothing closet
  • Rehousing before becoming homeless

Residential Program Intake Assessment: We evaluate individuals at risk of homelessness or currently homeless for compatibility with our emergency shelter or transitional housing program. If preliminary criteria are met, we will ensure they get to intake for further evaluation; if the requirements are not met, we will offer alternatives in the community that better meet their preferences or needs. 

Metro BrigAIDe Mobile Outreach Team 

The team delivers services to single, seniors, or chronically homeless individuals who might otherwise not have access to them—meeting the needs where they are and raising awareness about existing services in the community. AmeriCorps members are essential team members for this program.

We offer employment assistance services and state assistance application help at our Mobile Employment Outpost located at Bell Shoals Baptist Church – Palm River Campus located at 5415 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

What we provide
  • Birth certificates for those seeking employment
  • Clothing and hygiene
  • Coordinated entry assessments: VI-SPDAT (vulnerability index-service prioritization decision tool), rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing
  • Employment services (job search, resume building, interview skills)
  • Entry into UNITY (HMIS – homeless management information system)
  • Family reunification assistance
  • Florida State benefits (Florida State ID voucher, food stamps, cash assistance, Medicaid)
  • Resource referrals to other helping agencies
  • SSI/SSD, Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)
  • UNITY/Metro ID cards (may be used to gain access and services to various helping agencies in Tampa Bay)