POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Bay area’s affordable housing crisis impacts a variety of people across the region.
According to Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL) President Melissa Larkin-Skinner, 31,000 people in Florida experience homelessness. And about a quarter suffer from some kind of mental health issue.
The goal of a new housing development in Winter Haven is to ease those numbers.
What You Need To Know
- The Bay area’s affordable housing crisis impacts a variety of people across the region
- A ribbon cutting took place Tuesday at Jersey Commons, Polk County's newest affordable living community
- Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL) President Melissa Larkin-Skinner said this type of housing and services can help with several issues
A ribbon cutting took place Tuesday at Jersey Commons, Polk County's newest affordable living community.
Tri-County Human Services, in partnership with Blue Sky Communities and CASL, is opening its new 68-unit apartment community in Winter Haven. Fifteen of those units are designated for high-need indviduals.
The other 53 units will be home to others for those experiencing homelessness or living with disabling conditions.
Larkin-Skinner has been in the behavioral health treatment field for 30 years. She said this type of housing and services can help with several issues.
“People can’t fully take advantage and thrive with the services, the mental health treatment services, when they don’t have a safe place to be, or live or lay their head and they are constantly wondering, 'Where am I going to spend the next night? When I am going to eat again?'” said Larkin-Skinner.
Get more information on Jersey Commons by visiting its website.
Jersey Commons is Polk County's newest affordable living community. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)
