On Tuesday, November 14, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved funding for two major initiatives in its effort to reduce chronic adult homelessness: $194,000 for the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and $272,600 for shelter beds at the Salvation Army. This funding will assist the city to move forward with its new rule to prohibit homeless outdoor camping at night by making the Salvation Army the de facto emergency homeless shelter for the area. The shelter’s bed capacity will be increased from 20 beds to 50 beds. The Sarasota Police Department is also working on forming two new specialized teams who will receive training on how to interact with homeless individuals in compliance to the new rule.

To learn more about the Commission’s new strategy for reducing homelessness, read Zach Murdock’s story on the Herald Tribune.