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Gulf Coast Partnership

The Gulf Coast Partnership’s mission is to facilitate community-wide initiatives to understand community needs, identify and implement best practices to meet those needs, and to raise the quality of life for all residents.

Major Accomplishments:

COAD – In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we activated our Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), a disaster relief response system. Through the COAD, more than 1,500 people received homeless prevention assistance that allowed them to remain in their homes. More than 200 people received Rapid Rehousing assistance and were linked to permanent housing. In September of 2022, the COAD was reactivated in response to Hurricane Ian.

Long-Term Recovery – Due to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, the Charlotte County Long-Term Recovery Group was formed to facilitate recovery and bolster resilience for Charlotte County residents adversely impacted by the storm. The LTR’s central mission is to support the community in the aftermath of disaster, playing a vital role in connecting those facing post-hurricane challenges with essential resources and support.

Chronic Homelessness – Charlotte County has been recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness as being the 5th community in the nation to effectively end both Veteran and Chronic Homelessness.

  • Charlotte County ended Veteran Homelessness in 2017 and Chronic Homelessness in 2021.

Youth Action Board – In 2021, Charlotte County was awarded a Youth Homeless Demonstration Project grant. This grant serves unaccompanied homeless youth aged 12-24 through street outreach, diversion, and rapid rehousing. It is unique because it is led by youth with lived experience as part of a Youth Action Board. Over the course of a year, the Youth Action Board met with community partners and federal technical assistance; held weekly meetings where they learned, planned, wrote the Coordinated Community Plan to End Youth Homelessness; and ultimately chose which programs they felt were most needed to serve youth in Charlotte County. Since the program started, just days after Hurricane Ian, more than 27 young adults have been permanently housed and more than 25 young adults have been diverted from homelessness and connected to permanent housing with friends, family, and or other support systems.

SAMHSA Grant to Benefit Homeless Individuals – In 2022, Charlotte County was awarded a SAMHSA grant dedicated to serving homeless individuals who are grappling with Substance Use, Mental Health, or Co-Occurring Disorders. Over a span of five years, we will provide vital assistance to 300 vulnerable individuals. Throughout 2023, more than 64 individuals have received support and services through these efforts. As of September 2023, at least 33 have moved into permanent housing. Program participants have gained access to essential individual and group therapy, peer support, and, in certain cases, assistance with accessing employment and benefits.

Future Growth/Goals

  • In 2024 we plan to open a childcare facility.
  • Build the capacity of the Youth Action Board to advocate for and offer services to vulnerable youth.
  • Continue to build and maintain strong partnerships with community and mainstream service providers.
  • Enhance our community’s ability for fair and equal access to housing and services.
  • Increase the inventory of affordable housing.

Community Collaboration/Partnerships

  • Charlotte County Government
  • Charlotte Behavioral Health Care
  • Crossroads Hope Academy
  • Virginia B. Andes Community Clinic
  • Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
  • United Way of Charlotte County
  • Community Assisted and Supported Living
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice
  • Jesus Loves You Ministries
  • Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
  • Florida SouthWestern State College
  • CareerSource of Southwest Florida
  • US Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Charlotte County Public Schools
  • Charlotte Community Foundation
  • Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
  • Volunteers of America
  • Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the Suncoast
  • City of Punta Gorda
  • Charlotte County Sherrif’s Office
  • SAMHSA
  • St. Vincent de Paul CARES
  • Communities Active in Disaster (COAD)
  • US Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Gulf Coast Community Foundation
  • Florida Department of Children & Families
  • American Red Cross
  • Volunteer Florida

For More Information, contact:

Gulf Coast Partnership
408 Tamiami Trail, Unit 121
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941.626.0220
www.gulfcoastpartnership.org