TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City Council will vote Thursday on adding another $1 million to its homeless program with the Salvation Army, brining total funding to $4 million. 

The latest homeless population numbers in Hillsborough County show a 4% increase in homelessness in 2023, with the numbers expected to be higher once the county completes its annual homeless county that began earlier this month.

Commander for the Salvation Army Major Mark Woodcock says the city funding will not just help to house the more than 350 people the Salvation Army sees every night, but also feed them and help them on the road to permanent housing. 

What You Need To Know

  •  The City of Tampa City Council will vote today to approve more funding for its homeless parternship with the Salvation Army

  •  The program has previously received $3 million in funding

  •  THe homeless population in Hillsborough County is growing, with the latest data showing a 4% increase in the homeless population in 2023

  • Hillsborough County is still working to total numbers from its annual homeless count is started earlier this month

“We will use their money as ultimately to house people,” said Major Woodcock.  “They provide funding, a daily per diem, to be able to house someone, and to feed them,  to give them case management, to give them wrap-around services to help them accomplish what they need to accomplish to take that next step in to permanent housing.”

The Salvation Army say the biggest challenge facing the homeless continues to be affordable housing.

A recent report by Zillow shows rental prices have cooled in the Tampa area, but they are still above the national average. 

The average rental price in the Tampa Region remains at more than $2,000 per month.