Services

*Attention Care Facilities
(Hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities, Psychiatric Institutions, Behavioral Health Centers, etc.)

The Kearney Center provides emergency housing for adults experiencing homelessness. However, we are not equipped to accommodate individuals who require assisted living services. Admission is limited to clients who are able to care for themselves independently.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, it is essential that we are notified in advance of any emergency medical conditions or mental health concerns so our staff can prepare accordingly.

Referral Requirements:
Clients referred from local care facilities must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current resident of Florida’s Big Bend region, which includes the counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla
• Be capable of performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) without assistance — this includes bathing, grooming, feeding, toileting, mobility, and transferring in and out of bed

Individuals who are unable to complete these tasks independently will not be admitted to The Kearney Center.

Local Residents:
(Big Bend area of Franklin, Leon, Madison, Jefferson, Wakulla, Gadsden, Taylor and Liberty Counties)

In addition to the items under General Information above:

• Proof of residence included: Voter’s Registration, ID issued prior to April 1, 2024, W-2, or legal document with recent address. (This excludes regular mail.)
• Overnight clients are assigned to a bed and have access to meals, laundry, showers, storage, hygiene items, clothes, case management, and health services.
• Clients who exhaust their 90 days of emergency shelter use will be required to pay 30% of their income to continue staying at the center. (*This can be modified by the center, on a case-by-case basis, surrounding a narrow set of circumstances, ex: lack of affordable housing, extended action plan due to school, etc.) 
• The client must provide a reward letter if they have SSI/SSDI and 2 paystubs if they are paid bi-weekly or 4 paystubs if they are paid weekly.
• Clients are expected to utilize the Day Services program to meet with service providers in an effort to assist clients down the path toward their housing goals.
• Clients must meet with their case manager and work toward their housing goals.
• To maintain your bed, each client must check in nightly.

Out of County Clients:

In addition to the General Information above:

• As an emergency shelter, a client has 3 free days of emergency shelter use.
• After the 3 nights, the client will be charged $154 per week.
• Clients are expected to check in as overflow clients every night for available beds.