Family Housing Resource Center

05/09/2026

For some time, the city has been putting pressure on Ferris Hill Baptist Church in Milton over code violations at its cold-weather shelter. Is it a coincidence that Ferris Hill has announced that they will not be reopening the shelter next year? Hmmm.

Thank goodness the city has an alternative to local shelter: bussing. You heard right. They want to bus people who need shelter from the cold to the Waterfront Mission in Pensacola. No one should be surpised that this plan is not going over well with homeless folks. As one put it, "We are not cattle". Pensacola has a crisis-level problem of homelessness of its own, and I kinda think there will be some resistance to having more homeless people bussed in from a neighborning county. Just a guess.

There is no excuse for what the city is planning. The community center on Byrom Street already serves as a backup cold-weather shelter, and it is both functional and available. Yet the city chooses not to use it. Where, oh where, is our community's conscience?

A committee headed by the city's department of economic development grilled me about the services we provide to the homeless at Family Housing back in December. The message I heard was loud and clear: they think the work we do hurts the city, and they want us to go away. Make no mistake. The closing of the cold-weather shelter is not about zoning. It is about economic development.

While economic development creates opportunities, it also creates problems - like an increase in the cost of living. We have a shortage of affordable housing. Rents go up, and wages are stagnant. No wonder so many people are experiencing homelessness.

I support responsible economic development. Responsible meaning that it focuses on projects that contribute to the community rather than just consume its resources. Responsible meaning we leave no one behind. I do not support policies that fail to protect vulnerable members of our community from the harmful economic, social, and environmental shocks that so often accompany economic growth.

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04/20/2026

Think it is easier to be homeless in the summer than in winter? Think again. In winter, a homeless person is at risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and even of freezing to death. In summer, a homeless person is at risk of heatstroke, sunburn, and dehydration. Imagine having to choose between covering up with a blanket when you are already too hot, or staying uncovered and being eaten alive by mosquitoes. As if all that isn't enough, the homeless are at increased risk of physical violence in the summer. Let's face it - summer for the homeless is no picnic!

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04/09/2026

The washer and dryers we purchased have been a huge hit. We now have several people doing their laundry here regularly. Some folks take advantage of a hot shower while they are waiting. Others spend the time applying for SNAP, disability, and other benefits. Now that's what I call multitasking!

Do you know someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless? Maybe we can help them too. Tell them to give us a call.

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02/07/2026

If you are looking for a below-market-rate rental in Santa Rosa or Escambia County, here is a link to a list of both private and public options: https://www.cityofpensacola.com/DocumentCenter/View/3878/Subsidized-Housing-List-PDF?bidId= It may not be complete, but it is a start.

01/25/2026

My Amazon order of hand warmers arrived today, and the box was so big I had to get help to bring it in. These hand warmers work to keep hands and feet warm, but they also can be stuck inside a sock and put in the arm pits to keep the whole body warm. They can burn skin if placed directly on the body. I took 100 of these to distribute to anyone who looked like they were even thinking about sleeping outside tonight. Looks like I will be doing that every day this week. To anyone reading this, if you know of someone sleeping unsheltered in Santa Rosa County, the Sheriff's Office will take them to the Ferris Hill cold weather shelter in Milton rather than risk someone freezing to death. The shelter will accept people brought in by law enforcement all night long.

01/18/2026

WARNING!!! BEWARE of "treatment referral scams"! This type of scam involves unethical recruiters paid by fraudulent rehabs to locate patients. Red flags are offers of free travel or insurance coverage to lure vulnerable people, especially for addiction treatment. Legitimate treatment facilities make direct contact with potential patients, and they provide credentials.

No "middle man" is required. Direct access to mental health and addiction treatment referrals is available to anyone. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Toll-free phone number: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Online:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

01/08/2026

Who has the best neighbors ever? That would be Family Housing. Our neighbor and her sister baked these cookies and were kind enough to think of us. God love 'em (the sisters and the cookies both:)

01/08/2026

Slow day at the food pantry across the street - probably the weather to blame. This is the first time we have used our new table cover and Got SNAP? feather sign. Lots of folks will be needing help re-signing up for SNAP, and it can be very difficult to do on a cell phone. It's even more difficult if you don't have a cell phone. We are here to help, and there is never a charge for our services.

12/21/2025

Popup tents for the bargain-basement price of $5.73 each. I'm ordering 20 - half will go to Offentsive, 'cus they are sure to find homes for them quick. Delivery is estimated sometime between January 2 and March 3. Oh well, can't beat the price, so I am still ordering them.

12/16/2025

What kind of blanket is that, you ask? At first glance, it may not look attractive. But it is 100% wool, which makes it warm, water-repelling, and biodegradable. To someone trying to survive without shelter, this blanket is downright beautiful. Last year, we distributed 34 of these blankets to people sleeping in tents, sheds, and other places not meant for human habitation. My dream is to one day not be able to find anyone to give them to.

12/13/2025

Want to help people experiencing homelessness in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties this winter? It's as easy as picking up a few extra personal-care items the next time you do your weekly shopping. In Santa Rosa, all of our libraries are drop-off points. For other drop-off points, visit openingdoorsofnwfl.org. Collections continue through January 16. Come on, Santa Rosa, pitch in!