Homeless Outreach

Since 2005, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has funded the Public Defender Homeless Outreach Program. This program helps homeless individuals, and those at risk of becoming homeless, stay out of jail.

The program assists in many ways: by working to withdraw warrants for failure to appear for local ordinance violations and default or contempt of court hearings, by consolidating court fines and costs, by converting those fines to community service, and by providing needed services to the homeless, such as transportation and referrals to community programs.

From 2006-2007, the Public Defender's Homeless Outreach Program provided vital services to 4,850 homeless or potentially homeless individuals in Pinellas County. During that period, the public defender's office filed 383 motions to withdraw warrants for individuals who failed to attend local ordinance violation court proceedings, and provided jail diversion services for 4,527 people. Examples of jail diversion services are referrals to substance or mental abuse help centers in lieu of jail and/or court costs and providing information on court approved places for community service. In 2006-2007, the program saved the county $2,141,033.70.

The program's outreach services regularly visit ASAP Homeless Services Inc. 2, Beacon House, Clearwater Homeless Intervention Program (CHIP), Salvation Army (on Fourth Street S.), Pinellas Hope Village (tent city), Shepherd Center, Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission (SHOR), St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen at Sophie Sampson Center of Hope, Turning Point and William's Park.

Homeless Outreach Calendar

Mobile Medical Unit Calendar

Program helps prevent homelessness