The County’s Homeless Recovery Program offers financial assistance and case management services aimed at helping homeless individuals to become self-sufficient so that they can successfully transition out of homelessness. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served walk in basis from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. According to their individual case needs, homeless individuals are provided with any of the following services: admission to non-supervised boarding homes; vouchers to stay at local homeless shelters; placement in assisted living facilities; rental assistance; utilities assistance; food; health care; incidental personal care items; bus passes; employment counseling; referrals to employment programs; and storage of baggage/personal belongings during business hours while they attend recovery programs or seek work. In order to receive services through the County’s Homeless Recovery Program, an individual:

• Must meet the HUD definition of homelessness.
• Must have a written referral from another homelessness service provider (such as a shelter) verifying that the individual is homeless.
• Must bring the written referral to the Homeless Recovery Program Office.
• Should bring any identification, such as a Social Security card and a state ID.
• Should bring verification of any income he/she has.
• If disabled, should bring any medical evidence to document the disability. 
• Must be able and willing to work with Hillsborough County’s Homeless Recovery Program case managers to develop and participate in an individualized plan for becoming self-sufficient.

Cold Weather Emergency Shelters
The Homeless Recovery Program coordinates with various community agencies to identify and refer customers to cold weather emergency shelters when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature for a given day is verified by forecasters at the United States Weather Service’s Ruskin, Florida office. If verified, the following cold weather shelters are opened for those who need shelter from the cold.

• Wimauma Civic Center
  5705 Hillsborough St.
  Wimauma, FL 33598
  Shelter opens at 6:00 pm

• Brandon Park Recreation Center
  510 E. Sadie St.
  Brandon, FL 33510
  P: 813-635-8179
  Shelter opens at 5:30 pm

• Jackson Springs Park Recreation Center
  8620 Jackson Springs Road
  Tampa, FL 33615
  P: 813-554-5004
  Shelter opens at 6:30 pm

• Metropolitan Ministries
  2010 N. Florida Ave.
  Tampa, FL 33602
  P: 813-209-1077
  Shelter opens at 4:00 pm

• Salvation Army
  1514 N. Florida Ave.
  Tampa, FL 33602
  P: 813-221-4440
  Shelter opens at 4:00 pm