Tampa Hope’s new cottages.
A local organization opened 100 new cottages as part of its rehabilitation program for the homeless. Tampa Hope’s latest project has been partially funded by the city of Tampa and other partners.
Tampa Hope is operated by Catholic Charities and provides temporary shelter to homeless people since December of 2021.Within the next three months, the project will help them house over 400 people. They also provides clothing, health services, haircuts, food, transportation and counseling to everyone living in the cottages.
On-site Services
One of the unique services they offer is on site health screenings using an OnMed Care Station. The OnMed is basically a doctor’s office in a box. It is equipped with a virtual exam program that uses high-definition cameras and thermal imaging. This allows for real-time remote assessments done by a health care professional.
Tampa Hope was fortunate enough to get an OnMed Care Station donated from Tampa General Hospital. One of the first in Florida.
Along with on-site healthcare, they also have a community clothing closet where new residents can pick out some clothes. Matt Duffy, an
outreach specialist at Tampa Hope, said one of the first things they do for residents is get them checked out and in some fresh clothes.
“When people come into our program they’re able to just get some fresh clothes,” said Duffy. “Sometimes it’s really hard out there and they don’t have the opportunity to just have some decent clothes on their back, and so we’re able to get them just set up.”
Resident Testimonial
One resident, Tony Haire, was homeless for three months before he was able to find Tampa Hope. He has now been living in the cottages for three months and is getting ready to move out. He said the cottages have been amazing compared to his previous living conditions.
“I got arthritis real bad and so tents kind of didn’t do me good, so they put me in a cottage,” said Haire. “And they’re nice, you know, you got plenty of room in the cottage. You got air conditioning, heat. It’s pretty much like living in a studio apartment.”
Haire said after he gets settled outside of the cottages, he would like to to come back and volunteer.
“There’s nothing you can do to repay them for it, so I’m grateful, very grateful to this place, very grateful,” he said. “I feel good again.”
How You Can Help
Tampa Hope has had a 37% success rate since they opened. They are hoping, with the continued support of the Tampa community, to increase that percentage.
“Let’s look out for our neighbors out there on the streets, you know, let’s just show some love and see how we can all work together as one to really bring a more success rate for people that have been really struggling,” said Duffy. Although Tampa Hope gets funding from the City of Tampa and support from their partners, Duffy says donations are desperately needed as they prepare for a larger intake of people.
The most needed items are new underwear, shower shoes, towels, laundry detergent and toiletries. For more information on how and what to donate visit ccdosp.org.