TAMPA, Fla. — People at Catholic Charities' Hope Cottages and others needing temporary housing will find sanctuary in the $1.5 million Homeless Shelter Community Center as it breaks ground on Monday, according to a news release.
The center, named "The Matthew 25 Community Center," is set to be the shelter's focal point. It will offer residents a kitchen, dining area, restrooms, showers, a salon and a laundry room.
The community center is projected to be about 7,000 square feet on Catholic Charities' 6 acres of land, located east of Ybor City. It aims to serve as a progression between the tent-like temporary facilities for homeless people to permanent, stable housing, according to a news release.
Since opening in December 2021, Tampa Hope has hosted more than 1,100 unhoused people between 18 and 60+ years old in 125 tents and 99 cottages, according to the release. It has also placed 358 people in housing after their stay.
"We are excited to begin construction of the Matthew 25 Community Center funded through the generosity of Drew and Susan Peloubet,” Catholic Charities Executive Director Maggie Rogers said in a statement. "Our clients will soon be able to have a single facility housing all the necessary amenities."
People are already provided three daily meals, toiletries, clothing, medical care, financial management and life skills classes and substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that has worked with Tampa for two-and-a-half years to help fund and build resources for homeless people.
“I am proud of the work already done by the staff of Tampa Hope and their City of Tampa counterparts to address the care of our most vulnerable residents,” Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement. “But there is still much work to be done. This community center is one more step toward addressing homelessness in a way that is compassionate and considerate.”
The community center is projected to open next year.