Who is the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition?

The Florida Supportive Housing Coalition is a statewide organization dedicated to fostering the development of housing for various special needs populations, including: the elderly, certain veterans returning from service abroad, young people aging out of the foster care system, persons with a disability, those at risk or suffering from homelessness, ex-offenders, and others.

Founded in November 2001, the Coalition is committed to promoting long-term housing solutions for people with special needs, particularly the homeless, disabled, elderly, people with mental illnesses, and other special populations.

By working together to ensure supportive housing is available to all who need it, we will have a positive impact on their lives, while making significant positive changes in the social and economic structures of our State and communities.

About the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition

Over forty-five leading organizations, providers and advocates of housing and services to Florida’s special needs populations have come together as the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition. Founded in November 2001, the Coalition is committed to creating long-term, independent housing solutions for people with special needs in Florida ---particularly the homeless, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and elderly, youth exiting the foster care system and person living with HIV/AIDS.

The Florida Supportive Housing Coalition is dedicated to advocating for public policy and governmental structures that encourage self-sufficiency, housing choice, and community-based opportunities for people with special needs in Florida. In its short history, The Florida Supportive Housing Coalition has placed great emphasis on coalition building. In part a “coalition of coalitions”, it has eight Partner Organizations that share common goals and are working together to achieve them. It has also brought together supportive housing advocates, consumers of supportive housing and organizations serving different populations who confront the same supportive housing challenges.

Florida Supportive Housing 2011-2012 Board of Directors

OFFICERS

  • President: Shannon Nazworth, Ability First of Northeast Florida, Inc., Jacksonville
  • Vice-President: Olga Golik, Citrus Health Network, Miami
  • Treasurer: Edi Erb, Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Tampa
  • Secretary: Wayne Dreggors, Seminole Community Mental Health, Sanford

AT LARGE MEMBERS

  • Past President: Maria Barcus, Housing Partners of Florida, LLC, Miami
  • Ed Quill, Volunteers of America of Florida, Tampa
  • Amy Dibartolo, Community Partnership Goup, Rivera Beach
  • Lisa Devitto, Advocate, Tampa
  • Suzanne Edwards, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., Lake City
  • Donna Wyche, Orange County Family Services, Orlando
  • Jack Humburg, Boley Centers, Inc., St. Petersburg
  • Carl Epley, Haven House, Daytona Beach
  • Lisa Vecchi, Broward Housing, Fort Lauderdale
  • Karen Mahar, Camillus House, Miami

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

  • Dana Farmer, Disability Rights Florida, Tallahassee
  • Rosa Morgan, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Tallahassee
  • Karen Koch, Florida Council for Community Mental Health, Tallahassee
  • Mark Fontaine, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, Tallahassee
  • Judi Evans, NAMI Florida, Tallahassee
  • Suzanne Edwards, Florida Coalition for the Homeless, Lake City
  • Gail Cordial, Florida Partners in Crisis, Merritt Island
  • Martina Schmid, Florida Assoc. of Center for Independent Living, Tallahassee

EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER

  • Clint Rayner, Department of Children and Families, Tallahassee